Have High Potassium Level. Taking Synthroid. Taking Potassium Pill Extended Release. Is It Safe?

Posted on Thu, 21 Mar 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 Answered on

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a potassium level of 3.5 yesterday , I don't know why it's been over a year that it goes to 3.0 or higher but never stays up in 4.0 , kidneys fine, i take no meds
just take synthyriod , i dont do drugs ir drink. i am a 42 year old female. my doctors don't know why . So anyway yesterday it was 3.5 so I work in healthcare and told my doctor and he said its ok, but unsaid should I take a 10meq potassium pill , he said that's fine it will only go up till 3.6 . So I took it because I was scared it would drop because i heard low potassium can be XXXXXXX and too much is also XXXXXXX So today I felt little weird not right and nervous potassium will get lower . So just now I took another 10meq potassium pill extended release. Is that ok? I am now scared something can happen.

Answered by Dr. Rajiv K Khandelwal (32 minutes later)

Hi,

Thank you for your query.

The normal potassium level varies from 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. In your case 3.5 is well within normal limits and you need not worry about it.

Instead of taking extended release potassium pills you should increase your intake of potassium in food by taking such items like banana, fruits, etc.

I hope I have answered your query to your satisfaction. Please feel free to revert back in case you need any clarifications or would like to share more facts.

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,

Rajiv K Khandelwal
http://goo.gl/gR5Oy
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rajiv K Khandelwal (6 minutes later)

Sorry, I already took the pill and took one yesterday. Is that ok? It won't get to high? And I drink orange juice everyday but doesn't do much sitting at 3.5 I don't eat we'll no veggies or fruit. But I will try. My concern right now is I took another pill I I know it can be XXXXXXX if it is to high . But I only took 10meq extended yesterday at 4pm and again today at 6pm

Answered by Dr. Rajiv K Khandelwal (17 minutes later)

Hi,

Thank you for the update.

The dose taken by you will not harm you but it is advisable to increase your vegetables and fruits in your diet to maintain a sustained level of potassium.

I hope I have clarified your concerns.

Regards,

Rajiv

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar