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What Causes Excessive Potassium Loss In Urine While On Chlorthalidone?
Question: Last year I was dx congested heart failure also found pretty much depleted on potassium. Put on klorcon m20 yesterday I was told my potassium is dangerously low and my potassium was doubled to 40 20 am 20pm. Also inderal l and chlorthalidone. I am also seeing a Neuro psychiatrist: due to recommendation of my "neurologist I am epileptic and bipolar what would make my body suddenly become cannibalizing potassium.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that Chlorthalidone may cause increased loss of potassium with urine.
There are several other conditions to consider, which can lead to low potassium levels:
- chronic kidney disease or increased kidney loss of potassium
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- increased sweating
- alcohol intake
- metabolic disorders (such as adrenal gland disfunction),etc.
Coming to this point, I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the possibility of stopping Chlorthalidone intake and starting spironolactone, which helps increase potassium levels.
If your potassium levels are still low with this therapy changes, I would recommend performing further changes to investigate for the possible causes:
- urine analysis
- kidney function tests
- cortisol and aldosteron plasma levels.
Increasing food reach in potassium in your diet ( green beans, banana, plumes, mushrooms, almonds, etc.) would also help.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that Chlorthalidone may cause increased loss of potassium with urine.
There are several other conditions to consider, which can lead to low potassium levels:
- chronic kidney disease or increased kidney loss of potassium
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- increased sweating
- alcohol intake
- metabolic disorders (such as adrenal gland disfunction),etc.
Coming to this point, I recommend discussing with your attending physician on the possibility of stopping Chlorthalidone intake and starting spironolactone, which helps increase potassium levels.
If your potassium levels are still low with this therapy changes, I would recommend performing further changes to investigate for the possible causes:
- urine analysis
- kidney function tests
- cortisol and aldosteron plasma levels.
Increasing food reach in potassium in your diet ( green beans, banana, plumes, mushrooms, almonds, etc.) would also help.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr if the 40 of potassium is to high will I know when to contact my dr. I am to have blood draw at 5 week's and see Dr at 6.
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Yes, there is a potential risk of possible increase of potassium levels above the normal ranges. That is why you should perform potassium levels withing the first week after the changes in your therapy.
Anyway, if you feel dizzy, somnolent, experience nausea or vomiting, tingling on your limbs or palpitations, you should know that these are signs of possible high potassium plasma levels.
In such case, you should go to the ER and perform blood electrolytes.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Yes, there is a potential risk of possible increase of potassium levels above the normal ranges. That is why you should perform potassium levels withing the first week after the changes in your therapy.
Anyway, if you feel dizzy, somnolent, experience nausea or vomiting, tingling on your limbs or palpitations, you should know that these are signs of possible high potassium plasma levels.
In such case, you should go to the ER and perform blood electrolytes.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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