blood test tells me that I am low in potassium. why?

Answer 1

Do you take diuretics?
Are you anorexic?

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Not sure exactly what is going on with you, but if you where diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, you were probably prescribed Lasix (furosemide) or a diuretic which helps get rid of excess water in your body, as well as potassium. Supplementary potassium such as Klor or Kdur is usually prescribed to replace the loss. If you haven't seen your Primary care physician, it would be a good time to do so.

Answer 4

Low potassium is known as hypokalemia. A normal postassium level in the blood is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Hypokalemia is less than 3.5.

Causes of low potassium can vary but can be contributed to the following:

- Blood pressure medication such as HCTZ (most common causes)
- Medications such as beta agonists such as albuterol or terbutaline
- Malnutrition or poor dietary intake
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Laxative use
- Steroid use
- Low magnesium
- Kidney causes

Answer 5

Dieuretics (water tablets) can cause low potassium levels as well as diahorrea or laxative abuse.

Most fresh fruit and veg contain potassium, especially, bananas and oranges and green leafy vegetables eg spinach.

Answer 6

Hypokalemia can result from one or more of the following medical conditions:

*Perhaps the most obvious cause is insufficient consumption of potassium (that is, a low-potassium diet). However, without excessive potassium loss from the body, this is a rare cause of hypokalemia.

* A more common cause is excessive loss of potassium, often associated with excess water loss, which "flushes" potassium out of the body. Typically, this is a consequence of vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive perspiration.

* Certain medications can accelerate the removal of potassium from the body; including thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide; loop diuretics, such as furosemide; as well as various laxatives. The antifungal amphotericin B has also been associated with hypokalemia.

* A special case of potassium loss occurs with diabetic ketoacidosis. In addition to urinary losses from polyuria and volume contraction, there is also obligate loss of potassium from kidney tubules as a cationic partner to the negatively charged ketone, β-hydroxybutyrate.

* Hypomagnesemia can cause hypokalemia. Magnesium is required for adequate processing of potassium. This may become evident when hypokalemia persists despite potassium supplementation. Other electrolyte abnormalities may also be present.

* Disease states that lead to abnormally high aldosterone levels can cause hypertension and excessive urinary losses of potassium. These include renal artery stenosis and tumors (generally non-malignant) of the adrenal glands. Hypertension and hypokalemia can also be seen with a deficiency of the 11β-hydroxylase enzyme which allows cortisols to stimulate aldosterone receptors. This deficiency can either be congenital or caused by consumption of glycyrrhizin, which is contained in extract of licorice, sometimes found in Herbal supplements, candies and chewing tobacco.

* Rare hereditary defects of renal salt transporters, such as Bartter syndrome or Gitelman syndrome can cause hypokalemia, in a manner similar to that of diuretics.

* Rare hereditary defects of muscular ion channels and transporters that cause hypokalemic periodic paralysis can precipitate occasional attacks of severe hypokalemia and muscle weakness. These defects cause a heightened sensitivity to catechols and/or insulin and/or thyroid hormone that lead to sudden influx of potassium from the extracellular fluid into the muscle cells.

Answer 7

the best source of nutritional potassium is raisins, a half cup a day will keep your potassium normal.