Blood Disorders Forum - Low Potassium Levels

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Q: Low Potassium Levels

asked by: jessicabaldwin on January 5th, 2009

New User

I have done two blood labs in the last two weeks. Both of them showed that I have pretty low potassium levels. I have tried to eat potassium rich foods and nothing has helped. They have put me on a prescription potassium supplement, it is a powder that I have to drink with four ounces of cold water. It is really nasty, by the way. Ok well I guess my question is that the doctor has me doing a twenty-four hour urine catch...what does a urine catch mean? what does the doctor think is wrong with me? What does a urine catch show? Somebody please help me!

Replies(1)

deteragram

replied on January 5th, 2009

Supporter

The doctor could be looking for something else in your urine, but if he is looking to see if you're passing potassium this information might help.

A urine test to check potassium levels is done to:
Check levels in people being treated with medicines, such as diuretics and for people having kidney dialysis.
Check how well the kidneys are working.
Check to see whether treatment for low or high potassium levels is working.
Check people with high blood pressure who may have a problem with their kidneys or adrenal glands.
Check the effects of extra nutrition (total parenteral nutrition [TPN]) on potassium levels.
Check to see whether certain cancer treatments are causing too many cells to be destroyed (cell lysis). Cell lysis syndrome causes very high levels of some electrolytes, including potassium.

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