Potassium?

I spoke with my doc via email about my 6 month bloodwork results.  He said everything looked okay.. but wanted me to take a 2 week round of prescription Potassium and then have my blood redrawn to have my potassium level checked in 2 weeks.   Has anyone else had this happen?  What kind of insight can you guys give me?

Love a doc that will do email!

I haven't had personal experience with a potassium deficiency, but have heard of it. If you want more exposure, you might try the main and rny boards. But I'd actually try a post on the Nutrition board because there are RD's that moderate that board and might be able to give you some good information on what the normal parameters are, what to watch out for, etc...

I do know that potassium is absolutely essential to the heart.

Barb

Jennifer... I don't know the answer but I know that news must have made you concerned.  I just want to give you support and let you know that You will conquer this.  Your Dr. is awesome for emailing you...  If it were very serious though, he would have asked you to meet him at the ER or come in right away.  Keep us posted and I hope you don't stress too much!   Hang in there- Connie

When I have leg cramps I take potassium but not pre scription. It always helps.  This is on my own ...no DR. Myrtis

Potassium is so important.... my daddy's got out of whack a couple of years ago and he ended up in the hospital... going crazy!  The nurse called me in the middle of the night to come there... they had 2 security guards on him, and he was at the nurse's station going through charts, although he didn't even know what he was looking at or doing.  I could hear him hollering in the background... when I got there he was in total paranoia... he swore he knew one of the security guards from years past, and that he was there to kill him. The nurse couldn't even get close enough to give him a shot to calm him down and he would ONLY allow that after HOURS of talking to and only by the hospitalist doctor that was working that night. I don't mean to scare you... looking back it's a funny story but that night, it was a wild ride and what whacked out potassium levels can do at extreme!  Thank God we got THAT regulated. I'd see just how low it is and discuss with the doctor if possible to correct with diet.  I just hate taking meds of any kind and sometimes, once on them, it's hard to get off. It's like those "temporary" taxes that get implemented now and then.  Somehow they are never "temporary."  But just do whatever doc says! This is a good chart of foods w/varying levels of potassium. Potassium can prevent high blood pressure, build muscle and regulate our heartbeat. The potassium mineral is responsible for muscle contractions, sending oxygen to the brain, reduceing joint pain and many other health benefits.