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Suggest Treatment For Hypertension And Low Potassium Levels
Question: I was wondering about my medication.
I live in a remote community, no doctors available, only nurses who consult with doctors by phone when treating a patient.
I have been reading a bit about my meds, and I am concerned. I have been on eltroxin 0.2mg for a number of years. In April of this year I was also told that I am diabetic and prescribed Saanoz-Metformin FC 850 g twice daily. I have not been taking the medication, mostly due to the fact that I don't feel like I am diabetic. my blood testing that was done was from April 2013, a year later is when they told me the results. Reading of 0.074 . I was also told that my potassium was low and prescribed Slow K 600 mg, 2 tablets daily. I have been taking those, sometimes I do miss a day, sometimes a couple of days...
Recently I had to go in due to a pain on the left side of my chest, my heart was checked, and my blood pressure was very high, afterwards I was prescribed Co-Amlodipine 5mg. I have been taking my eltroxin and Co-Amlodipine every morning, and my potassium somewhat regularly since I got sick. I still haven't taken my metformin. I have been checking my blood sugar and I was checked daily for a few days after the pain in my chest... readings are usually 4.8 to 5 before meals, and others from 5.8 to 7.5. This morning after my breakfast was the highest of 9.3. I am also overweight. I am 5' and weight 270 pounds.
So my main concern is about all these medications and if maybe because I don't have a regular doctor, the nurses and doctors on call might be missing something. Just need to know if all these medications can be taken together without side effects.
I live in a remote community, no doctors available, only nurses who consult with doctors by phone when treating a patient.
I have been reading a bit about my meds, and I am concerned. I have been on eltroxin 0.2mg for a number of years. In April of this year I was also told that I am diabetic and prescribed Saanoz-Metformin FC 850 g twice daily. I have not been taking the medication, mostly due to the fact that I don't feel like I am diabetic. my blood testing that was done was from April 2013, a year later is when they told me the results. Reading of 0.074 . I was also told that my potassium was low and prescribed Slow K 600 mg, 2 tablets daily. I have been taking those, sometimes I do miss a day, sometimes a couple of days...
Recently I had to go in due to a pain on the left side of my chest, my heart was checked, and my blood pressure was very high, afterwards I was prescribed Co-Amlodipine 5mg. I have been taking my eltroxin and Co-Amlodipine every morning, and my potassium somewhat regularly since I got sick. I still haven't taken my metformin. I have been checking my blood sugar and I was checked daily for a few days after the pain in my chest... readings are usually 4.8 to 5 before meals, and others from 5.8 to 7.5. This morning after my breakfast was the highest of 9.3. I am also overweight. I am 5' and weight 270 pounds.
So my main concern is about all these medications and if maybe because I don't have a regular doctor, the nurses and doctors on call might be missing something. Just need to know if all these medications can be taken together without side effects.
Brief Answer:
Hypertension, Low Potassium need evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concerns.
Issues.
1) Hypothyroidism, on fairly large dose of Thyroxine.
2) Chest pain with elevated blood pressure and low Potassium
3) Diabetes and overweight
Let me tell you that Metformin is an excellent drug which has multiple benefits which includes protection from some cancers and also heart disease. Being overweight and having high blood pressure and high blood glucose levels place you at high risk ( especially at this perimenopausal age). We need to address each of these issues to reduce the risks. Age is a non modifiable factor, hoever, high blood pressure and high glucose levels are defenitely modifiable factors and keeping them normal will surely prevent a heart attack or a stroke.
STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO CHECK FASTING LIPID PROFILE ( Cholseterol profile).
In view of perimenopausal age and high dose of Eltroxin, you need to protect your bones frm developing osteoporosis. Please take sufficent calcium and Vitamin D to avoid osteoporosis.
The high blood pressure and low potassium could have links. There are number of hormonal disorders where potassium can be low and BP can be high ( eg: Cushing's syndrome, hyper aldosteronism). You will surely need tests to rule out these disorders and just taking blood pressure medicines and SLow-K is not enough. Cause has to be found out. YOU MAY NEED AN ENDOCRINE CONSULTATION for this.
I hope this helps . Please feel free to ask further if you have more concerns
Regards
Binu
Hypertension, Low Potassium need evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concerns.
Issues.
1) Hypothyroidism, on fairly large dose of Thyroxine.
2) Chest pain with elevated blood pressure and low Potassium
3) Diabetes and overweight
Let me tell you that Metformin is an excellent drug which has multiple benefits which includes protection from some cancers and also heart disease. Being overweight and having high blood pressure and high blood glucose levels place you at high risk ( especially at this perimenopausal age). We need to address each of these issues to reduce the risks. Age is a non modifiable factor, hoever, high blood pressure and high glucose levels are defenitely modifiable factors and keeping them normal will surely prevent a heart attack or a stroke.
STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO CHECK FASTING LIPID PROFILE ( Cholseterol profile).
In view of perimenopausal age and high dose of Eltroxin, you need to protect your bones frm developing osteoporosis. Please take sufficent calcium and Vitamin D to avoid osteoporosis.
The high blood pressure and low potassium could have links. There are number of hormonal disorders where potassium can be low and BP can be high ( eg: Cushing's syndrome, hyper aldosteronism). You will surely need tests to rule out these disorders and just taking blood pressure medicines and SLow-K is not enough. Cause has to be found out. YOU MAY NEED AN ENDOCRINE CONSULTATION for this.
I hope this helps . Please feel free to ask further if you have more concerns
Regards
Binu
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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