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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

My potassium is 5.8, my doctor says its from the heat. What do you think?


Answer:
i think that when getting a second opinion, ByeDr.com is NOT the place to go.
I would listen to my doctor and don't ask strangers that don't know anything.
Potassiumhttp://www.healthline.com/hlbook/nut-pot...
Your doctor is lying to you. It's only 5.4.
Your doctor could be assuming that you are dehydrated - if you are dehydrated the level of potassium in relation to the total fluid in your body is higher. However there are other causes of high potassium (hyperkalemia) so your doctor should exclude these first. High potassium levels can cause cardiac arrhythmias so best to check it out with a second opinion if necessary.
Heat does not give you potassium. Its a salt, a healthy one.Low potassium gives you poor heat tolerance.
I know 2.5 is bad and can induce a heart attack
Presumably this doctor has ruled out kidney dysfunction, kidney stones, adrenal gland dysfunction, Addison's Disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, rhabdomyolysis, and just plain old eating too much potassium in your diet. Presumably, also, you aren't taking potassium supplements or one of the many types of medications that can increase serum potassium. There can also be lab errors that might cause this result. Normal serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.0. I suspect your doctor is saying you are slightly dehydrated. If this is true, your sodium would also be elevated. You may want to ask your doctor to explain more specifically how the heat is causing your hyperkalemia (elevated potassium). As a patient, you have a right to an explanation.

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