a lil questions here.... Potassium levels

A friend of mine had blood done. he got the results back. all i know is that the potassium level were extremely high. Now im waiting to here back from him hes supposed to be going to the dr this week i think. But anyone hear of this? know anyone with this?

thanks for any responses! im just a little nervous.

Re: a lil questions here.... Potassium levels

i was just in the hospital for 4 days with my DD a month ago and her potassium levels were high and they ddnt want to release her with them so elevated .....so they did several blood works and said that sometimes when blood is drawn the red blood cells break down causing an elevation in potassium

after a few drawings of blood they came back normal..

i dont know if this is even the same issue but that is my recent knowledge of this happening

Re: a lil questions here.... Potassium levels

thanks...

bumping to see any more??!!

Re: a lil questions here.... Potassium levels

this happens to DH's mom and she has been hospitalized many times for it. If it goes to low or too high it can be dangerous and create a lot of problems. last time her potassium levels were so bad she was delirious, hallucinating and very ill.


ETA: while it could be something else, high potassium levels can be a sign of the kidneys not functioning correctly.

Message edited 1/5/2009 11:49:04 PM.

Re: a lil questions here.... Potassium levels

After Lauren was born and I was hospitalized with my kidney infection, I know my Potassium levels were extremely low.... So I had to get the potassium via IV and it was like fire through my veins. I'm not too sure what hig levels would mean?

Re: a lil questions here.... Potassium levels

If somebody's potassium level is too high it can cause very severe heart problems. Most people first notice a problem with muscle aches, pains and/or shortness of breath. That is usually what prompts the doctor to check bloodwork. If it gets very high, it causes EKG changes and cardia arrhythmias. It is not something to play around with -- it needs to be treated.

One of the above posters was right -- sometimes the red blood cells will burst in the blood sample, giving an erroneous result. But if that is the case, the blood report will say that the red cells were "lysed" and then the doctor will know that it needs to be repeated.

Re: a lil questions here.... Potassium levels

High potassium levels in and of itself may or may not be a cause for concern. Even a range of what is normal can change from lab to lab....

Potassium levels can be effected by many different things..Medications for one can effect levels..so can ones diet. The draw of blood itself can cause a high potassium level. Most of the time the test is repeated to rule this out....

I wouldnt get upset just yet and stay off of the internet.

Re: a lil questions here.... Potassium levels

bump