Low Vitamin D And High Potassium Levels

Low Vitamin D And High Potassium Levels

In hyperkalemia, the level of potassium in blood is too high.

• A high potassium level has many causes, including kidney disorders, drugs that affect kidney function, and consumption of too much supplemental potassium.

• Usually, hyperkalemia must be severe before it causes symptoms, mainly abnormal heart rhythms.

• Doctors usually detect hyperkalemia when blood tests or electrocardiography is done for other reasons.

• Treatment includes reducing consumption of potassium, stopping drugs that may cause hyperkalemia, and using drugs to increase potassium excretion.

Usually, hyperkalemia results from several simultaneous problems, including the following:

• Kidney disorders that prevent the kidneys from excreting enough potassium

• Drugs that prevent the kidneys from excreting normal amounts of potassium (a common cause of mild hyperkalemia)

• A diet high in potassium

• Treatments that contain potassium

The most common cause of mild hyperkalemia is

• The use of drugs that decrease blood flow to the kidneys or prevent the kidneys from excreting normal amounts of potassium

Hyperkalemia can develop after a large amount of potassium is released from the cells. The rapid movement of potassium from cells into blood can overwhelm the kidneys and result in life-threatening hyperkalemia.

By itself, increased intake of potassium does not often cause hyperkalemia because normal kidneys do a good job in excreting any extra potassium.

• Measurement of potassium level in the blood

• Drugs to increase potassium excretion

The disorder that is causing hyperkalemia is treated.

For mild hyperkalemia, reducing consumption of potassium or stopping drugs that prevent the kidneys from excreting potassium may be all that is needed. If the kidneys are functioning, a diuretic that increases potassium excretion may be given.

For moderate to severe hyperkalemia, the potassium level must be reduced immediately. Doctors monitor the heart continuously during treatment. Calcium is given intravenously to protect the heart, but calcium does not lower the potassium level. Then insulin and glucose are given, which move potassium from blood into cells, thus lowering the potassium level in blood. Albuterol (used mainly to treat asthma) may be given to help lower the potassium level. It is inhaled.

Low Vitamin D And High Potassium Levels

Source: https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-balance/hyperkalemia-high-level-of-potassium-in-the-blood

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