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If you are taking hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), the diuretic, it may cause you to excrete potassium in the urine that must then be replaced in the diet to keep your blood levels normal.

Often doctors will suggest you include a high-potassium food each day, such as a banana or a glass of Orange Juice, or potatoes. If this does not keep your potassium blood level normal, then you may be prescribed a potassium supplement.

How much YOU need depends on YOUR blood test (because it depends on how much HCTZ you are on and what amount of potassium is normally present in your diet). Your doctor will adjust your potassium supplement based on monitored blood tests to keep your blood potassium level within normal range. You should not try to take an amount that you guess will work based on what someone else takes. This needs to be a prescription from your MD!

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16y ago

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Is Potassium citrate or Potassium gluconate better?

Potassium Citrate will affect both blood PH and calcium excretion via urine more than gluconate Potassium Citrate - C6H5K3O7 + H2O - is often the medicine of choice to make the urine more alkaline. This helps prevent the formation of certain kinds of kidney stones in this way - Potassium citrate attaches to calcium in the urine, preventing the formation of mineral crystals that can develop into kidney stones. In some cases, your health care professional may prescribe this medicine to balance the level of potassium in your body, for example, when the potassium level is low, etc. Potassium is a naturally occurring salt that is important for the normal functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Potassium Gluconate - C6H5K3O7 - is often used to maintain acid-base balance, isotonicity, and electrophysiologic balance throughout body tissues. It is crucial to nerve impulse transmission and contraction of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle. Potassium gluconate is also essential for normal renal function and carbohydrate metabolism. It is not known whether potassium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. This medication should not be taken without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.


Does antibiotics affect potassium?

Only some antibiotics can increase potassium in your body. Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Septra or Bactrim) and pentamidine have been known to increase potassium levels. If you are not taking either of those, your antibiotics should no effect on your potassium. If you are taking one of these drugs and your potassium levels are already high, you should contact your doctor and see if he or she wants to change your antibiotic to a different one.


What treatment is not recommended for a casualty suffering from crush injuries of the lower extremities has been admitted to your hospital with severe hyperkalemia?

In a patient with crush injuries of the lower extremities and severe hyperkalemia, the use of potassium-sparing diuretics is not recommended. These medications can further elevate potassium levels, exacerbating hyperkalemia. Instead, treatments such as insulin, calcium gluconate, or sodium bicarbonate should be considered to stabilize the cardiac membrane and promote potassium shift into cells. Additionally, renal interventions like dialysis may be necessary to manage severe hyperkalemia effectively.


Can potassium benzoate increase your potassium level in your body?

Potassium benzoate is a potassium salt of benzoic acid, and while it contains potassium, it is typically used as a preservative in food rather than a dietary supplement. Its contribution to overall potassium levels in the body is minimal and unlikely to significantly affect potassium status. For individuals with normal kidney function, the body regulates potassium levels effectively, so consuming potassium benzoate in typical dietary amounts is not expected to increase potassium levels significantly. However, those with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare professional regarding potassium intake.


What lab value to assess prior to giving potassium chloride?

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Can licorice lower potassium?

Yes, licorice can lower potassium levels in the body. This effect is primarily due to a compound called glycyrrhizin found in licorice, which can lead to increased sodium retention and potassium excretion by the kidneys. Prolonged consumption of licorice can result in a condition known as hypokalemia, characterized by low potassium levels, which can cause various health issues. Individuals should be cautious with licorice intake, especially those with existing health conditions that affect potassium levels.


What electrolytes should you check before giving digoxin?

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How to deal with high blood pressure and high potassium?

Many 'lite salt' products use a potassium salt instead of a sodium salt, and you are correct: your husband should not use these as his potassium levels could rise too high.


What can you eat to lower your potassium?

Thank you for the correction. See link and article information below. ------ Correction: I'm not sure, metabolically you have correctly answered this. I'm not a doctor or anything even remotely close but what I can tell you is that sodium and potassium do cause reactions but not as stated above. Low sodium levels cause High potassium and High sodium Levels cause Low potassium. If a person has be diagnosed with HIGH potassium then greater than 5.0 mg then they should go to their doctor. There are many things that can contribute to high potassium so I would verify this first. here are some articles to back my information: http://charles_w.tripod.com/blood.html http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/potassium-k-in-blood?page=2


What are the levels of potassium in humans?

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Is 5.9 high for potassium?

A potassium level of 5.9 mmol/L is considered high and is known as hyperkalemia. It is important to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and management as high potassium levels can have serious health implications.


Should you take a potassium tablet when taking losartan?

It is generally not recommended to take potassium supplements while on losartan without consulting a healthcare provider. Losartan can increase potassium levels in the body, and combining it with potassium tablets may lead to hyperkalemia (excess potassium), which can be dangerous. Always discuss any supplements with your doctor to ensure safety and proper management of your medications.