Potassium and Spiro

[KennedDoll]

My doctor said i am supposed to "watch my potassium levels". I have no idea what that means. I've tried a couple of times to get more specific advice and she just repeats the same thing, which is completely meaningless.

Without knowing how much to limit the levels by, I can't do anything with that suggestion. I know "don't eat a lot of bananas in one sitting". Ok. So, in other words, don't change anything? I know how to find out what foods are high in potassium. I know things not to do "too much" of, but no idea what "too much" is.

If I knew how much of the RDA I should reduce my intake by, then I would know what to do. Does anyone know?

[Cindy]

The recommendation as such is too 'avoid foods high in Potassium'.  I take that as, don't seek out Potassium high foods to eat. So when I was on Spiro I didn't eat bananas, avocados and such. If you do have the occasional serve it is no issue but I wouldn't make them a regular part of your diet.

https://www.drugs.com/tips/spironolactone-patient-tips

[Quinn]

When I was on spiro my doctor told me they have to do regular potassium checks. They do it with blood work same time as they check hormone levels. She told me that when someone's potassium level hits 6 that they will be hospitalized immediately until they can lower the level. If the level hits 7 your heart stops. She also said there are not any warning signs of high potassium and that is why they check the level frequently. I was only on spiro for about 3 weeks but had severe side effects from it so quit. But my level when I started was 4.5 and 5.5 when I quit 3 weeks later . Please make sure you keep up with your lab work and have them check it often.

[Faith]

My potassium is monitored both by my GP and with PP (for spiro). I have stage 3 kidney disease rating. Rather misleading since it's in function only, there is not sign of damage. Too many years of untreated high blood pressure (directly related to reduced kidney function) and using extensive use of ibuprofen (hard on kidneys) for chronic severe headaches (which went away with HRT, go figure).

I digress.

I am simply relating to the topic since I suffer from low potassium. I take spiro (which is potassium sparing) and a potassium supplement .. I've had normal levels the past 3 tests.

My point? keep monitoring it, adjust the best that you can by varying your potassium intake. There is no exact way, everyone's absorption and retention is different.

[Devlyn]

My doctor told me that since I wasn't at risk of high blood pressure or a heart attack, the salt shaker was the best way to keep my electrolyte levels balanced. Message received, doc. 

I was salting my salt after that! 

[KathyLauren]

I asked my doctor about watching what foods I eat.  She said, don't worry about.  There's a list of high potassium foods that you don't want to pig out on, but eating them occasionally seems to be fine for me.  My doctor monitors my levels on routine blood tests.

[Colleen_definitely]

Also keep in mind that spiro is a potassium sparing diuretic, so while it keeps you from peeing out as much potassium as normal you can still lose it through sweat and such.  It doesn't completely bottle up your body's potassium supply.

[GordonG]

My experience with Spiro and potassium is that soon after starting Spiro I was getting terrible leg cramps at night.  They were the worst I ever had.  So I started looking at what I was doing to cause it. Ended up being an energy drink I was drinking a few times a week. It was loaded with potassium.  I cut that and the leg cramps went away.

[Linde]

Spiro was a big problem for me.  It made me feel very lethargic and listless.  I think that it might have been the potassium sparing thing, because I had always a rather high potassium level already.  I worked hard to avoid foods high I potassium, but one cannot always manage to do so.
I am really glad that I have not to take this stuff anymore!

[KennedDoll]

So, essentially, no one knows.

My next visit to the doctor is in 5 months. I'll find out if I've died from heart failure, by then, because I ate one teaspoon of pinto beans too much. Or, if potassium was no problem after all, and there was nothing to worry about. It would be nice to be able to narrow it down a little more than that.

[PurplePelican]

So, essentially, no one knows.

My next visit to the doctor is in 5 months. I'll find out if I've died from heart failure, by then, because I ate one teaspoon of pinto beans too much. Or, if potassium was no problem after all, and there was nothing to worry about. It would be nice to be able to narrow it down a little more than that.

Umm, no, that's not what anyone said..

The key is to not eat high potassium foods in large quantities on a regular basis, simple as that.  If you eat 5 banana's a day, you might want to cut that back to 1 or 2.. Apart from that, it's not really something to be concerned about.

That said, spiro is crap and mostly unneeded once your E level reaches a level that will suppress T production.

[BrandiYYC]

I had issues with spiro and my potassium levels, my Endo halved my dosage about 3 months into HRT. I also cut out foods high in potassium, although I wasn't told to do this. Thankfully spiro is a thing of the past for me which has made my Endo just as happy as I am.

[chikiko]

So i have a few thoughts on this.  When you come in to get your blood work done, its my job to actually perform the tests to give you your results.  (note that means i am NOT a doctor, though i do work with them)   Potassium is also part of a panel of tests that get run on just about everyone who comes in for blood work, so its a test i am well accentuated with. 

potassium has the smallest normal range of almost any test we run except for blood pH. the normal range is 3.0 - 6.0 or +/- up to .5  and as someone stated above things go down hill fast if you are above or below that number.  who's ever doctor told them that there are no signs for high potassium is extremely wrong.  trust me,  up or down, or will know.  like the person with the energy drink, cramping is a bad sign.  as is muscle weakness, abnormal heart rate, and of course paralysis!   that said i being on  spiro and getting blood work done every 2 weeks or so, my potassium has not had any major shifts from it's natural variability and i literally have not changed any of my eating habits. 

NOT EVERYONE BODY WILL REACT the same way so look out for the symptoms, but don't feel the need to stop eating bananas, avocados, or whatever you enjoyed before, just make sure you hydrated and you pay attention to the potential symptoms.  eating normally should have minimal effects on you unless you already have a problem that can cause your K+ to be high like renal problems.   



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[LizK]

@chikiko

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[Northern Star Girl]

So i have a few thoughts on this.  When you come in to get your blood work done, its my job to actually perform the tests to give you your results.  (note that means i am NOT a doctor, though i do work with them)   Potassium is also part of a panel of tests that get run on just about everyone who comes in for blood work, so its a test i am well accentuated with. 

potassium has the smallest normal range of almost any test we run except for blood pH. the normal range is 3.0 - 6.0 or +/- up to .5  and as someone stated above things go down hill fast if you are above or below that number.  who's ever doctor told them that there are no signs for high potassium is extremely wrong.  trust me,  up or down, or will know.  like the person with the energy drink, cramping is a bad sign.  as is muscle weakness, abnormal heart rate, and of course paralysis!   that said i being on  spiro and getting blood work done every 2 weeks or so, my potassium has not had any major shifts from it's natural variability and i literally have not changed any of my eating habits. 

NOT EVERYONE BODY WILL REACT the same way so look out for the symptoms, but don't feel the need to stop eating bananas, avocados, or whatever you enjoyed before, just make sure you hydrated and you pay attention to the potential symptoms.  eating normally should have minimal effects on you unless you already have a problem that can cause your K+ to be high like renal problems.   

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@chikiko
Dear Chikiko:
     I see that our lovely member @LizK has warmly welcomed you to Susan's Place and the Forums.
    As you continue to post on the forums you will be able to exchange thoughts and comments with others that are experiencing many of the same things that you are.   I expect that you will be getting many members offering their thoughts and suggestions as you continue to post here. 

    This is the right place for you to be to find out what others may have to say that may have been in your circumstances and with your questions and concerns.
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[Northern Star Girl]

@chikiko   
Oh, and another thing Chikiko...
Please plan to write a post and tell us more about yourself in the Introductions Forum so that other members will be aware of your arrival... therefore you will be able to share your thoughts with more members here.
     
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NOTE: Now after all of this Greeting Stuff I will let everyone have this thread back so that the exchange of conversation can continue.
Other members here will certainly be along to give you their comments and suggestions that you may be seeking

[DawnOday]

As a diuretic which is what Spiro is. Seems to me it would help relieve potassium by making you urinate. I have high potassium and the Doctor is more concerned with me eating my favorite foods. Think chocolate, potato's, good tasting fruits and veggies but every one I hate is on the acceptable to eat table.

[Julie -2010]

When I first got on HRT, my Dr. kept bumping up the Spiro to see how I would handle it.  My potassium spiked at a certain amount and she back the amount down.  My potassium is stable, but I do watch what I eat and how much if it is high in potassium.

Julie 

[Sonja]

My experience with Spiro and potassium is that soon after starting Spiro I was getting terrible leg cramps at night.  They were the worst I ever had.  So I started looking at what I was doing to cause it. Ended up being an energy drink I was drinking a few times a week. It was loaded with potassium.  I cut that and the leg cramps went away.

@GordonG

OH Thank you for posting this snippet  - I believe this might be the cause behind my mystery leg problems....

Take care,

Sonja

[Dena]

@GordonG

OH Thank you for posting this snippet  - I believe this might be the cause behind my mystery leg problems....

Take care,

Sonja

If you're not drinking enough water or not taking in enough table salt, you can also experience cramps. How do you know if your not getting enough salt? Salt and salty foods will really taste good. Spiro is the primary reason for the dill pickle addiction on this site.