I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: pdpatty on June 04, 2009, 12:54:58 AM

Title: How many MG potassium per day is safe
Post by: pdpatty on June 04, 2009, 12:54:58 AM

I cannot get an answer anywhere. Know everyone is different  but what is the max potassium is safe?

Title: Re: How many MG potassium per day is safe
Post by: BigSky on June 04, 2009, 02:58:34 AM

Most I have seen are allowed only 2,000-2,500 mg a day at most.

If one takes medication that causes potassium to rise or their body retains it the daily level could be lower.

The doctor should be the one to set the daily consumption level based on your medical information.

Title: Re: How many MG potassium per day is safe
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on June 04, 2009, 03:29:03 AM

Just like to point out that if you are taking BP tablets from the group of medicines know as 'angio retensin blockers' then it can significantly raise serum potassium

Title: Re: How many MG potassium per day is safe
Post by: dwcrawford on June 04, 2009, 05:38:04 AM

I have been told by Dr. and dietician to eat as much high potasium foods as I want to and as much high phosphorous foods as I can.  So I guess it is all relative to your labs....  The main that I've learned on here is that no two individuals as the same when it comes to diet, treatment and response to treatment.  How frustrating!

Title: Re: How many MG potassium per day is safe
Post by: willowtreewren on June 04, 2009, 09:25:35 AM

Quote

he main that I've learned on here is that no two individuals as the same when it comes to diet, treatment and response to treatment.  How frustrating!

Dan is absolutely right. The best thing you can do is pay close attention to your labs. Our clinic provides a monthly print-out that shows the ideal range and where my husband falls in relation to that range. If he hits the target, we don't change anything. If not, we simply adjust our diet.

Since the type of dialysis that my husband is on draws out potassium, he has to find ways to eat plenty of it in order not to have to take supplements. It is very individual.

Good luck figuring out what you need for you.

Aleta

Title: Re: How many MG potassium per day is safe
Post by: RightSide on June 11, 2009, 08:18:38 PM

You should eat (or not eat) whatever it takes to keep your blood test numbers within normal ranges.  If your blood potassium level is high, eat much less potassium. 

My blood potassium was surprisingly low--so low that my neph told me to eat a medium banana every day!  So I eat a medium banana, or some broccoli, most days--and my blood potassium has been normal for months now.