Does anyone know?

[kristina]

Does anyone know what the maximum daily intake

of Potassium is for patients in ESRF?

(My GFR is approx. 10 – 12%).

Thank, you, Kristina.

[jbeany]

There isn't a one size fits all answer for that, Kristina.  It depends on your size, your remaining kidney function, and what kind of dialysis you are on.  The only way to know if you are eating too much or too little is to check your labs.  (I had my levels just right when I switched to home hemo, and that was so much more effective I had to start eating more.)

[kristina]

Thanks jbeany. Point taken. My recent research confirms
that this is more complicated and has to be worked out in quite a detailed serious way...

...and it seems that it gets ever more difficult as kidney function reduces 

Thanks again, Kristina.

[Hazmat35]

Potassium can be a very Deadly thing when it comes to  your health, to much or too little can do great harm. 

My levels have been in line according to my dietitian, but last month, it was WAY elevated.  I found out I was eating too many peas and raisins!!!!  Both very high in Potassium. 

It all depends on you, your lifestyle, your size, and your treatment! 

[peleroja]

I don't know if it's true for everyone, but my clinic limits potassium to 2000 per day.

[kristina]

Thanks for your replies Hazmat and peleroja.

This absolutely confirms what I have recently discovered,
that working out the amount of potassium per kg of weight,
puts me at around 2000 per day.
The calculation can be worked out by figures from the Internet and
it is absolutely true about the dangers of high potassium levels.

It would appear that patients with very restricted kidney function like mine (~10-12%)
have great difficulty in getting rid of excesses of potassium in the blood.

For example, there are over the counter products which contain very high levels of potassium,
and many people use as them a remedy, but patients with restricted kidney function cannot
flush the huge amount of potassium out of their body quickly enough, and as a consequence
the huge build-up of potassium can raise to a very dangerous level very quickly,
and with potassium the danger is with the heart.

So it is vitally important that people with restricted kidney function should make absolutely sure
about the potassium content of  whatever they are going to ingest
(e.g. over the counter cystitis powder etc. - must be checked-out for potassium..).

Thanks for your replies, Kristina.

[KICKSTART]

Yeah Kristina ..potassium is dealt with as part of the renal diet and gone over with dialysis patients ..making them very aware of avoiding it (in most cases)

[paris]

Even pre dialysis and post transplant, potassium levels are always important.  Mine stayed in range just by following the renal diet.  Some of my favorite foods have too much potassium, but you just learn a new life style.   Now, post transplant, it is still a concern. They check the level every lab--was 3 times a week, now 2 times a week.  Everyone takes it very seriously.    That was one of the first things the neph talked to me about, right after diagnosis.  Low potassium is a problem also.    Watch potassium and phosphorus, they are in everything.

[MooseMom]

Read labels.  Read labels, and then read them again.  If you stay away from processed foods as a general rule, you can really help yourself avoid potassium.

[RightSide]

This is one purpose of the monthly blood tests.  If those tests show that your serum potassium has risen beyond the reference range for us ESRD patients, then it's time to cut down on potassium intake.

[Riki]

yes.. bloodwork is a big deal..  Something I never understood with some who, after transplant, only have bloodwork done once a year!  I never went more than a month without bloodwork.. so much can change in a year.

[kristina]

Having gone into the Potassium-issue recently in a big way
I echo all the sentiments and information written in the above replies,
this really says it all. It cannot be overstated just how important
it is to keep the Potassium-level within the limits.

Thank you all very much for these informative and constructive replies.

Many thanks from Kristina.