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Potassium low

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/1/2023 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone else here had low potassium levels in their bloodwork? Mine was 2.5 when I did bloodwork last month so my doctor put me on time release potassium pills for a week. We redid the bloodwork and it's still at 2.5!!
We are both not sure how to proceed other than to continue with the large pills that are making me nauseous. It seems strange that the levels won't rise. Has anyone else here experienced this?
Posted 8/1/2023 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
My potassium dropped 2 years ago, I take it twice a day. I also eat foods that are high in potassium too. It took almost 2 months to get me back in range, so I am not surprised that your level hasn't increased.

Do a net search for high potassium foods, lots of good things to eat.
Posted 8/1/2023 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I eat and drink foods high in potassium to no effect, always have.
Posted 8/1/2023 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting. My next door neighbour - who does not have UC - has the same issue. Low potassium consistently for the last year or so, and she consumes loads of food & drink high in potassium with little effect. She has not been able to figure out what's going on.
Posted 8/1/2023 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for replies, this potassium issue is a tough one. Hard to keep the levels up, very hard to get back in range. All the while not sure why it's happening. Low potassium is very bad, effects the heart and many crucial processes in the body, it can kill you. Thanks UC! smile
Posted 8/1/2023 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Is your UC flaring? ie, are you having diarrhea? That is a common cause of low potassium.

If you haven't been having a lot of diarrhea and your potassium is still low, you need to get a urinalysis to check for potassium in the urine. They might want a 24 hour urine collection.

When did you last take prednisone?

With levels at 2.5, you should get this checked out quickly. Your GI should refer you to another doctor if needed.
Posted 8/1/2023 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
The only times I had low potassium was when I was flaring badly and on high dose pred. In the hospital they gave me potassium, but once I was released doc said to get it from food. Do you have any muscle weakness? That was how low potassium affected me -- I had a hard time walking up stairs. Don't remember what my level was. 2.5 sounds dangerously low. Hope you can get it back up soon.
Posted 8/2/2023 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
When mine was low I had to increase my daily folic acid supplement. There was something else that they thought was driving it down...but it's been so long ago I can't remember for sure.

I do know I increased my folic acid to 3 then 5 mg a day...and we added daily magnesium....plus the potassium pills...it took over 6 months to get it to start going back up... I had horrible cramps and sudden heart "hiccups" during that time. (I still.get the cramps often) I use Theraworx for my cramps...it has magnesium and I think potassium in it....

Have you had diarrhea,vomiting, excessive sweating? Those really dropped my numbers..

Clo
Posted 8/2/2023 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Not really in a flare, no vomiting, very little diarrhea, not sweating much.
Posted 8/2/2023 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
We couldn't figure out what was causing my low numbers either. I'm still on the lower range of the acceptable level.

It's hard to get those numbers to stay up and seems to take a long time.
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