We’ve talked about several different minerals in past blog entries. Potassium is the mineral of choice for this week’s post for several reasons, and it’s a mineral that people with kidney problems should be sure to pay close attention to.
First, let’s explore what potassium does in the body. This mineral is often referred to as an “electrolyte.” Electrolytes are electrically charged particles, called ions, which our cells use to maintain voltage across our cell membranes and carry electrical impulses, such as nerve impulses, to other cells. (Bet you didn’t think you had all this electrical activity in your body, did you?) Some of the main electrolytes in our bodies, besides potassium, are sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. Your kidneys help regulate the amount of electrolytes in the body.
Potassium’s job is to help nerve conduction, help regulate your heartbeat, and help your muscles contract. It also works to maintain proper fluid balance between your cells and body fluids. The body is a fine-tuned machine in that, as long as it’s healthy and functioning properly, things will work as they should. This means that, as long as your kidneys are working up to par, they’ll regulate the amount of potassium that your body needs. However, people with diabetes who have kidney disease need to be especially careful of their potassium intake, as levels can get too high in the body when the kidneys don’t work as they should. Too much potassium is just as dangerous as too little.
Your physician can measure the amount of potassium in your blood with a simple blood test. A normal, or “safe” level of potassium is between 3.7 and 5.2 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Levels below or above this range are a cause for concern.
Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) may be due to something as relatively simple as dehydration from excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, or to something more serious such as an adrenal gland problem, cystic fibrosis, or severe burns, for example. Low levels can also result from taking diuretics or from malnutrition.
High potassium levels (hyperkalemia) often result from kidney damage. Kidney damage is usually due to poorly controlled diabetes, and is considered a major complication of diabetes (it’s often referred to as diabetic kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy). High potassium can also occur if someone has had diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious metabolic condition more commonly seen in people with Type 1 diabetes. Heart attack, injuries, infections, overuse of potassium supplements, and use of ACE inhibitor drugs may also lead to high potassium levels. Too much potassium, by the way, can lead to weakness, paralysis, irregular heartbeat, or even a heart attack.
If you have diabetic kidney disease and your potassium levels are high (above 5.2), your health-care provider will likely recommend you cut down on how much potassium you get in your diet. Foods high in potassium include bananas, cantaloupe, potatoes, tomatoes, and legumes, for example. It’s not that you can no longer eat these foods, but you’ll need to watch your portions of them and not eat them too often. In addition, you shouldn’t use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements unless otherwise advised by your health-care provider. Meeting with a dietitian is extremely helpful, as he or she can help you develop a low-potassium meal plan and provide you with helpful tips to make things easier. If your potassium level is very high (over 6.0), your physician may recommend a medicine, such as sodium polystyrene sulfonate (brand names Kayexalate and Kionex), which helps remove potassium from the body. Diuretics can also help lower potassium levels.
Talk to your health-care provider if you have any concerns about your blood potassium level or the health of your kidneys in general. Do the best you can to keep your HbA1c level below 7%, and be sure to get your microalbumin level (a test for urine protein that detects kidney damage) checked every year. Diabetic kidney problems can be prevented or slowed if caught early on.
Hello Amy, I just had to write and thank you for all the unbiased useful information you guys shower me with. Keep up the good work and thank you so much.
Posted by Timtam | Apr 25, 2007 at 6:04 pmI am wondering if someone can let me know what happens when you are told that your potassium is way high, and you already have kidney failure and diabetes, and high cholestrol and high blood pressure?
Posted by scared | Sep 06, 2007 at 2:01 pmDear scared,
I can certainly understand why you might be feeling scared. Having kidney failure and high blood pressure, on top of having diabetes, is bound to be overwhelming and confusing. The first thing I’d recommend is to talk to your doctor as soon as possible about your high potassium level. This needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Also, if you’re not already working with one, ask your doctor for a referral to a kidney doctor, or nephrologist. And at the same time, see if you can get an appointment with a renal dietitian. You need a team who understands diabetes and kidney disease. They can help you with meal planning and medication management specifically geared towards your kidney health. Check out the National Kidney Foundation’s website, too at for more help and support. There may even be a local affiliate in your area.
Posted by acampbell | Sep 07, 2007 at 10:40 amHello, I am 28 years old and I am 330 pounds. I have a really hard time sticking to a diet and exercise, I just seem tired all the time, all I want to do is sleep or just sit down. They say my thyroid is fine. You have any suggestions?
Posted by Tired of being Fat | Sep 07, 2007 at 11:01 amWHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS WHICH WE SHOULD TAKE IF WE HAVE DIABETES AND KIDNEY FAILURE. THE AGE BEING 53 YEARS? WHICH THINGS SHOULD TAKE AND NOT TO TAKE? AND ANY OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH U CAN GIVE ME.
Posted by taruna | Jun 14, 2008 at 5:11 amHi taruna,
Posted by acampbell | Jun 16, 2008 at 4:03 pmThis is really a question for your primary care provider. The answer depends on so many factors, such as the extent of your kidney failure, other health issues you may have, and other medications that you take. It’s beyond my scope to adequately answer you. Many medications, including diuretics and diabetes pills can affect your kidneys, so you need to talk with your physician about what’s safe for you to take. Also, consider talking with your pharmacist, too, as they truly are medication experts.
i am a diabetic whom works outside. the heat gets to me. i sweat a lot. i cramp every day as long as the temp is over 60 degrees. i have spoke to my doctor and he can give me something but doesnt really want to go there because my kidneys have no problem. my wife bought me potassium pills to take 1 a day. but i am wondering how much potassium is in 1 banana and if that is the way i should go.
thanks if you answer me back
Posted by bfox | Jul 09, 2008 at 8:42 pmBud
Hi Bud,
Did your physician tell you to increase your potassium intake? Sometimes cramps can be due to deficiencies of other nutrients, too, such as magnesium. The recommended intake for potassium is at least 3500 mg per day (assuming your kidneys are in good health!). A banana has 422 mg of potassium, while a sweet potato has almost 700 mg. Check out this listing for more information on food sources. It’s probably best to avoid taking potassium pills unless your physician prescribes them, since you don’t want to end up taking too much potassium. Aim to get your needs met through food sources as much as possible.
Posted by acampbell | Jul 10, 2008 at 2:18 pmMy mom passed away from too high potassium - I suggest any one that has diabetes, heart problems or any signs of diarehea be checked.
bf
Posted by bf | Jul 14, 2008 at 8:48 pmHi bf,
Do you know what her level was and for how long? I’ve just been dignosed with High Postassium and mine is 5.6
Posted by 4justin5 | Jul 15, 2008 at 5:00 pm3500mg of potassium a day is not an easy number to hit. How common is the “too high potassium” level reaction for people who are not taking supplementation? It seems if a person is attempting to consume potassium through diet alone most people are nowhere near the 3500mg mark. Are people with diabetes perhaps more responsive to postassium intake and therefore should be taking in less than a person without diabetes? I know it all comes down to the proper testing, but I’m a personal trainer with several diabetic clients that all seem to be being told something very different from their physicians. If its been confirmed that a person is taking in proper amounts of H20, Magnesium, & Calcium, but experiences muscle cramping during physical activity can the next logical concern be proper potassium levels? Just looking for some insight in on the topic.
Posted by Paige Christine | Aug 04, 2008 at 10:33 amThank you
Hi Paige,
Posted by acampbell | Aug 04, 2008 at 2:05 pmThanks for your comments. While we know not everyone always eats a “balanced” diet every day, it definitely is possible to meet the daily potassium requirements through food sources, especially if you’re consuming several servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and milk/yogurt each day. Some people may need more potassium if they have certain gastrointestinal conditions, if their blood glucose levels have been running high for a while, or if they take certain types of diuretics. Others may need less potassium if they have kidney disease. So, the need for potassium can vary from person to person, which is why people do need to check with their healthcare provider. Unless kidney disease is present, most people will not get too much potassium from food sources, but they may if they take supplements. It’s logical to assume cramping can occur due to lack of potassium, but then again, cramping might be due to decreased circulation and/or peripheral arterial disease, as well, particularly if the cramping occurs consistently.
I have Diabetes and eat bananas every day.Is there any danger of suffering a serious reaction because I eat them so much?
Posted by thinthin | Aug 18, 2008 at 9:29 pmThank you.
Hi thinthin,
Posted by acampbell | Aug 19, 2008 at 7:44 amThere’s no problem with eating bananas every day, assuming your kidneys are in good health and that you aren’t allergic to them. You’d have to eat about 8 bananas a day to reach the daily goal for potassium. The main thing is to make sure that the bananas fit into your meal plan or into your carbohydrate goals for your meals and snacks. If you’re constantly snacking on bananas, it’s likely to affect your blood glucose levels. One medium, 7-inch banana contains close to 30 grams of carbohydrate, so this needs to be considered as part of your carb allotment for the day.
This is the first time I’ve visited your web site which I think is excellent. I also have diabetes and spend a lot of time on the Internet reading different articles. One of the web sites I visit frequently is the National Institutes of Health web site which has a list of foods high in potassium. In it I discovered that 1 ounce of avocado contains 180 mg of potassium. This was a blessing for me because I was concerned about the carbs in bananas (which I enjoy very much but only when my BG reading is low). Perhaps thinthin should switch from bananas to avocados to get his potassium. Another web site I discovered was the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. On their page ‘Micronutrient Requirements for Older Adults (>50 years)’ they recommend 4,700 mg/day of potassium. I weighed the avocados I bought and they average 6 ounces which gives me about 1,080 mg of potassium. I can make up the rest with a combination of potassium-rich foods and supplements.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by John | Sep 01, 2008 at 2:18 amHi John,
Posted by acampell | Sep 02, 2008 at 2:50 pmI’m glad to hear that you like the website! Thanks for sharing the info about avocados. Just a word of caution, though - while they are a great source of potassium, a whole (6 ounce)avocado also contains 320 calories, 16 grams of carb and about 30 grams of fat!
Hello,
Good article. However, I read that potassium levels can also be affected by more insulin levels as insulin causes transcellular shift of potassium from ECF to ICF as indictedon Insulin-wikipedia:-
[Insulin]“Increased potassium uptake - forces cells to absorb serum potassium; lack of insulin inhibits absorption. Thus lowers potassium levels in blood.
Arterial muscle tone - forces arterial wall muscle to relax, increasing blood flow, especially in micro arteries; lack of insulin reduces flow by allowing these muscles to contract.”
Under above consideration, can you also tell about impact of insulin, insulin resistance & hyperglycemia on potassium levels? Regards. Kumar
Posted by kumar | Sep 06, 2008 at 2:55 amHi Kumar,
Posted by acampbell | Sep 09, 2008 at 10:58 amThanks for the feedback. Insulin does a lot more than just move glucose into cells; it also helps move potassium, magnesium and phosphate ions, as well. Insulin and potassium have a feedback mechanism, so that if, for example, blood levels of potassium get too high, insulin is released from the beta cells to help lower the levels. There is some indication that people who have metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes have a low level of potassium in their cells. Other research shows that a diet rich in high-potassium foods helped reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes. And yet another study showed that people with adrenal gland disorder were more likely to have lower potassium levels and more insulin resistance than in those without the disorder. The speculation is that potassium deficiency may play a role in the development of metabolic syndrome, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
Thank you for all of your information on potassium and how it works with the body. I have been on diuretics for the past 7 years and understand I need to have either a banana a day or drink orange juice to maintain a healthy level of potassium. But since taking diuretics I have had leg cramps, muscle spasms, sciatic pain etc. I had started taking calcium and magnesium supplements that helped for a while, but after reading many publications I believe my potassium level is low, so I took just one potassium supplement and can say that the muscle cramps and spasms were not experienced today. I will be seeing my doctor in about a month and it is procedure to have labs done before the visit. I did ask my Dr. to add a potassium reading with the next labs, so I will know for sure if my levels are low until then. I feel really good today and don’t want to harm myself. would taking one potassium supplement a week be harmful?
Posted by lmatt | Sep 11, 2008 at 4:43 pmHi lmatt,
Generally, it’s not a good idea to take potassium supplements without first consulting with your physician. However, taking one potassium tablet per week is probably okay. Check to see how much potassium is in one tablet, and also think about how much potassium you might be getting in your food (see an earlier posting with a link to food sources)to make sure you’re not taking in too much. Remember that the goal is 3500 mg of potassium per day. And when you see your doctor next month, let him know that you’re taking potassium. Stop taking the supplement and call your doctor right away if you have any side effects, such as fatigue, weakness, irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath.
Posted by acampbell | Sep 12, 2008 at 1:07 pmThank you for your response. I did review your list of potassium rich foods and I can honestly say that the only food product that I may have often would be Tomato juice/V8 juice, and that may not be daily. I can see that I am probably getting about 1000 mg’s a day. I am not a milk drinker and the suppliment is only 565 mg. I must testify that by taking the potassium yesterday I did not encounter any muscle spasms/cramps or muscle fatigue. I will be sure to tell my doctor about taking the suppliment. I will also review the food items and try to work in potassium rich foods to my diet. I will limit myself to one potassium suppliment a week and get my labs done soon.
Posted by Lmatt | Sep 12, 2008 at 2:58 pmwow i love this web site!it was helpful. thank you
Posted by maya | Sep 17, 2008 at 4:57 pmI take teveten for high blood pressure and it says not to take potassium supplements. Can you please tell me how much potassium is too much for me, ie can I have the soups and bananas and panadol?
Posted by Lidija | Oct 07, 2008 at 6:36 pmHi Lidija,
Teveten is a type of medication, called an angiotensin II receptor blocker, or ARB, for short. It helps to lower blood pressure and may help slow the progression of kidney disease, as well. If you take this medication, you shouldn’t take over the counter potassium pills, or supplements, or use salt substitutes that contain potassium. However, you can still eat foods that contain potassium, including bananas and potatoes as long as your kidneys are healthy. If you have kidney problems, you may need to limit your potassium intake, and you should ask your doctor about how much potassium you can have.
Posted by acampbell | Oct 08, 2008 at 3:06 pmMy husband had a scare last night.
He is not on any medicine for diabetes, but from time to time his blood sugar will elevate.
Last night, he came in, was very thirsty and got a drink out of the frig (Mountain Dew/total sugar) and went outside and drank it.
Almost immediately, he lost his balance, had a headache and was sick to his stomach. His blood pressure was very high. He took a nitro pill and the blood pressure went down. He does have problems with his blood pressure every now and then and does take medicine for that.
I tried to get him to go to the hospital, he’s stubborn and he would not go.
This morning his balance is fine, his blood pressure is ok, but still alittle high, but his blood sugar was 348.
I am scared as I feel he could have a stoke at any time.
How do you lower blood sugar other than using medicine?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Posted by Brenda | Oct 14, 2008 at 8:18 amBrenda
Hi Brenda,
Posted by acampbell | Oct 14, 2008 at 1:46 pmI can certainly understand your concern. It sounds like there are two situations for which he should seek medical attention sooner rather than later: his blood pressure and his diabetes. Regarding his diabetes, it’s very likely that he will need a medication, given the blood sugar of 348. However, it’s important to look at his overall diabetes control and that means finding out what his hemoglobin A1C is. The A1C goal for most people with diabetes is less than 7%. Weight loss, a healthy eating plan and physical activity can all help lower blood glucose, but there often comes a time when medication is needed, as the pancreas eventually stops making sufficient insulin. Let your husband know that you’re concerned and perhaps show him some reading material on diabetes and A1C. Also encourage him to make an appointment with his provider to discuss both his blood pressure and diabetes control.
Just checked this web site great information.I’d love to get some answers to my problems if I may.
here goes, How much pottasium, phophorus, can I consume in a day?
Since going on a renal diet I’ve gained a lot of weight, at present 220 I’m 5′2″ I ‘m not doing it any more since 3 days now.
My fasting sugars used to be between 4-6 and now are 11.5, creatinine is 203, eFGR is 22, Urate is 426, Hemoglobin A1C is 0.005, I a mess I’m trying to control my blood sugars with herbs and spices
Posted by getten | Nov 11, 2008 at 2:52 pmI’m not on any meds since the last 3 days I go for another blood work in 3 weeks, may I keep you posted The herbs and spices I’m having are fenugreek, cinnamon, Bitter melon.
I sure appreciate your web site and thank you for reading my e=mail I’m 74 years old.
getten
Hi getten,
Posted by acampbell | Nov 13, 2008 at 9:26 amI’m glad to hear that you find this Web site helpful! Unfortunately, I really can’t give you specific advice on your diet - only your physician and dietitian can. However, it does appear that your blood glucose levels are running a little on the high side. I’m not sure I understand what your A1C level is, though. Also, your kidney function tests are not where they should be, either. Please reconsider taking your diabetes medications. Herbs and spices aren’t proven treatments for diabetes and it’s difficult to determine just how much of them you’d really need for glucose control. Also, I’d strongly suggest you see a dietitian for a renal diet that will help you reach a healthy weight. Your physician should be able to give you a referral. I’d be happy to hear how you’re doing after your appointment in three weeks.
Thanks Amy, for your prompt reply, I’ll sure keep in touch.
getten
Posted by getten | Nov 13, 2008 at 2:19 pmiam 69 y.o and last apr1 was dx with type 2 dm. ht:5′6″” 184 lbs
Posted by ladylove | Feb 04, 2009 at 6:58 pmi now walk 2&1/2 miles winter and 5 summer. current wt 154
jan 8th was seen by md k+ 5.9,na148,HbA1c 6.4,ldl101.
i am on no meds except ca with vit d and the diabetic vit/mineral packs sold in 30 day supply. my dr said this is find. i was eating bananas with cherrios 4-5 days a wk but stopped.
i eat grapefruit and unsweeten strawberries mixed for snack everyday. i have been using salt sense for years. any advice as to what i need to do to lower ldl and k+. this is a great reference site and i have informed my diabetic friends.
Hi ladylove,
Congratulations on all your hard work - it’s certainly paid off! To lower your LDL, make sure you’re cutting way back on saturated and trans fat, and focusing more on heart healthy fats, such as olive, canola and peanut oils. Fit in more soluble fiber, especially from oatmeal and beans. It’s important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, but you should talk with your doctor as to why your potassium level is high. Check out this list of the potassium level in various foods:
Posted by acampbell | Feb 10, 2009 at 9:46 amhttp://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/foodnut/09355.html
It’s not a bad idea to meet with a dietitian to review your eating plan and discuss additional ways to lower your LDL and potassium, too.
I am diabetic and take avandamet(4/500).Recently had kidney stone which turned out to be calcium oxalate one.I know potassium citrate can help but is it the right way?Can i take potassium citrate on a on going way.?
Posted by srp1942 | Mar 10, 2009 at 11:48 amHi srp1942,
Posted by acampbell | Mar 10, 2009 at 3:53 pmI checked with a nephrologist and he said that potassium citrate is most definitely used to treat calcium oxalate stones. Some people do stay on this medication as long as urine citrate levels are low (this needs to be checked at your physician’s office). However, your best bet is to talk with your physician about this and the best way to manage your kidney stones (hopefully you don’t have any more!).
Hi
Posted by bgl | Mar 16, 2009 at 2:44 pmI really have enjoyed your website- I have been taking Lisinopril since Nov for high blood pressure- the dosage is 20mg- the blood pressure is down-but I am still very fatiqued,a little short of breath- I am not sure who I would call my regular physician or my cardiology phy- I am wondering if lower the dosage might help- I have to take it at night since it makes me very tired-
Hi bgl,
Glad you like the website! I would suggest you call whomever prescribed the lisinopril for you. Either that, or call your primary care physician and find out what he or she would recommend. He can always refer you to your cardiologist, if necessary.
Posted by acampbell | Mar 17, 2009 at 12:56 pmI have recently been in hospital tested for Cushings Syndrome. The tests proved negative. I still have a lipoma growth on either side of the neck/shoulder.Four years ago I had an very large one removed from my arm. I know to keep an eye on these as I don’t want them to get out of hand like my arm. My steroid levels were not quite as bad as the doctors originally thought. However my potassium levels are consistant at around 5.5 so I am having another blood test. I have diabetes type 2, since leaving hospital the levels have been up and down, I don’t feel well & know I am not eating properly. Today my level was 13.5. I am on anti depressants and when I am particularly down eat very little.I suffer from Pernicious Anaemia, Gastritis,Asthma. I have liver disease, alcohol related, and kidney disease.I have B12 injections every two months. The diet sheet I have from the doctor seems to cut out all the veg & fruit I eat for my diabetes, and I thought I was doing very well to eat a good 5 a day.My gall bladder was removed 18 months ago.I will go for my blood test tomorrow & they will be back the next day, should I mention my bloods being so inconsistant to my doctor when I ring? He has mentioned that if my potassium levels go up to 6.5 he will take me into hospital for glucose or something, which confuses me with diabetes ? thank you. What a brilliant site this is by the way.
Posted by marcelle | Mar 30, 2009 at 12:55 pmHi marcelle,
Sounds like you have a lot going on! Yes, you should mention your potassium levels to your doctor. Also, it’s possible that, when potassium levels go too high, that you would be given IV glucose. This helps to stimulate the release of insulin, which, in turn, helps move potassium from your blood into your cells. But you should discuss this with your doctor. Also, I’d recommend that you meet with a dietitian to discuss a lower potassium diet. You can still eat fruits and vegetables, but you may need to choose those that are lower in potassium.
Posted by acampbell | Apr 01, 2009 at 7:34 amHi,
I just had a blood test and the potassium level is found to be 5.6.
The glucose level is seen to be normal.
Should I be concerned with the potassium
level? I will appreciate your reponse.
Madhavan
Posted by madhavan | Apr 06, 2009 at 2:57 pmHi Madhavan,
Your potassium level is a little high (normal is usually about 3.7 to 5 or 5.2). I’d suggest you speak to your doctor about your level and discuss reasons why it’s on the high side, and what you can do about it. High potassium levels can result from any number of situations, such as kidney damage, certain medications, potassium supplements, heart attack, injury, infection…so you should find out what’s happening.
Posted by acampbell | Apr 08, 2009 at 8:03 ami am 28 yrs old and have been hypoglycemic since i was a child, and have not had to check my sugar with a meter before until about 6 mos. ago. my blood glucose is low usually in the 70-100 range and my potassium level has been tested twice this week. the first time it was 5.3 and the second time was 5.0. I do not eat bananas or many other high potassium items. i am really new to my diabetes and am still trying to learn all the ins and outs. should i be concerned? and what should i expect to come of this? please help me to understand what is going on with my body?
Posted by ldavidson28 | May 05, 2009 at 11:17 amHi ldavidson28,
I’m not sure I can fully explain your situation, since a few things are a little unclear: Were you diagnosed with diabetes just recently? What was the reason for having your potassium measured in the first place? Do you have any issues with your kidneys? There’s certainly a lot to learn when you have diabetes, so my main advice is to ask your physician for a referral to a diabetes program or a diabetes educator. I’d also ask your physician about your potassium level; it’s actually not that high, but it’s running on the high end of normal and perhaps there’s an underlying reason for that.
Posted by acampbell | May 05, 2009 at 3:53 pmMy husband has recently been in the hospital due to high potassium level. He had been on blood pressure medication since the seventies, most recently(Diovan)but the Dr. took him off blood pressure medication all together. Blood work was done again yesterday with a reading of 5.3 two weeks ago it was 6.1. He has been eating hardly anything trying to not get any potassium. He is down to 120 pounds and this self imposed diet is killing him. How much potassium should he be getting at this point and will he always have to eat low potassium?
Posted by Brownie | May 07, 2009 at 3:39 pmWonderful web site!!!!!!!!
Hi Brownie,
Posted by acampbell | May 08, 2009 at 2:13 pmI’m afraid I don’t know enough about your husband’s situation to give you a good answer. Does your husband have kidney disease or another medical condition that is causing his high potassium levels? Has his doctor evaluated him for other possible causes? Some people obviously do need to follow a low potassium diet, but not so low that it’s leading to too much weight loss and possible malnutrition. If you haven’t done so already, please talk with his doctor about his nutritional status and ask for a referral to a dietitian who can provide suggestions on ways to beef up his calories without increasing his potassium intake.
thank you for all that information!
Posted by baljit gill | Jul 20, 2009 at 1:54 ami did not know that some of these fruits were so high in potassium, i ate them everyday, and i have diabetes!this blog was very useful and incredibly informational!
My husband has T2 diabetes, high blood pressure, produces uric acid kidney stones and just recently was told to reduce his potassium intake. I was doing fine with recipes up until the addition of the low potassium. It seems that just about everything that we have been eating to keep the the diabetes, high blood pressure and uric acid in check is high in potassium…HELP! I am at a loss on what to make for dinners that are interesting and flavorfull.
Posted by Bobbi | Aug 08, 2009 at 11:02 amHi Bobbi,
It can certainly be challenging to plan meals when there are so many restrictions. My first suggestion is for you and your husband to meet with a dietitian who can give some advice and more specific guidance on meal planning, including how much potassium to aim for. And second, while you didn’t mention if your husband has kidney disease or not, here are links to two Web sites that provide a variety of recipes that are low in potassium and sodium:
http://www.DaVita.com/recipes
http://www.renalinfo.com/us/resources/recipes/
You might also make a trip to your local bookstore or visit a Web site such as Amazon.com, as there are plenty of cookbooks aimed at people who need restrict their potassium intake.
Posted by acampbell | Aug 12, 2009 at 2:40 pmHigh Blood Pressure - Under control
Posted by Bob Long | Sep 26, 2009 at 11:05 amKidneys on their way out.
Bypass Surgery
High A1C
Now high potassium - 5.9 Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate 4tsp daily dropped pot to 4.1 in four days. Quit taking, Doc says it will go back up. Hope not with diet et al.
Diabetes Type II 26 years-now aged 72. Doctors have done a great job.
Insulin 70/30 now 62 - 60 units twice daily.
Weight 6 yrs 135 to 204 now down to 194 lbs. No more diabetes pills just insulin.
Balancing act insulin-food intake hard due to sugar lows but trying to reduce wt. Smoked 50 yrs. copd. Just a mess. ha
Just found ur site. Love it for the knowledge it imparts to me finally. Bob Long
Hi Bob,
I’m glad this site has been helpful to you! Sounds like you’re on the right track — you’ve lost weight, your potassium has come down… small steps add up to big changes. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by acampbell | Sep 28, 2009 at 1:25 pmLAST BLOOD TEST POTASSIUM READING WAS 5.3,I AM DIABETIC,HAVE HAD BYPASS SURGERY 10 YRS. AGO.MY CARDIOLOGIST RAISED MY TOPROL FROM 25MG. TO 50MG.,HE WANTS TO RAISE IT TO 100MG.,SHOULD MY PRIMARY PHYSICIAN LET HIM KNOW OR IS THE DOSAGE OK?
Posted by MIKE POWELL | Oct 30, 2009 at 9:59 amHi Mike,
Not being a doctor, I’m not really the best person to ask, and I can’t advise you on your Toprol dose. However, Toprol can raise potassium levels. Is your primary-care physician responsible for monitoring your potassium levels? Since it’s always good for your health-care team to communicate with each other, you might either ask your cardiologist to let your PCP know of plans to increase the dosage or call your PCP and let him know.
Posted by acampbell | Nov 02, 2009 at 8:54 am