(Quick question) Just started Spiro and..

[regan]

Spiro is a potassium sparing diuretic.   I don't think that means it blocks your ability to process potassium.   So I'm going to say that as long as you don't go crazy with the Banana Splits, most people will be ok.

"Potassium sparing" means it doesn't increase potassium elimination in your urine.  There is a chance that it can in turn raise your potassium to lethal level.  I'll skip the anatomy lesson, but potassium is part of what triggers your heart to beat so you can visualize the problems with having too much potassium.  Its wise to monitor your potassium level, but a splurge now and then for most of us shouldn't be an issue.  Where it could be a real problem would be in people with some degree of liver damage (say from long term alcohol or drug use), which is obviously a concern for some of the people on this list.

[Debra]

All I gotta say is.....

CANT WAIT TILL MARCH =) Be so glad to not have to go pee 5x a night and get dehydrated from just 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks haha

[JennX]

If you are healthy, there is no need to worry about your potassium levels.  Those warnings are only meant for older people who may be prescribed Sprio for other uses and usually have complicated medical issues involving liver problems.

I don't know why this perception that one needs to avoid potassium when you go on Spiro persists.

My potassium levels have remained absolutely flat throughout my entire time on Spiro now, no increase and no decrease.  I have not done any diet modifications.  I have continued to eat potatoes, bananas, and everything else I eat just as I normally do.  There is no need to perform a scare factor on every one going on Spiro that they NEED to avoid food containing potassium. 

What would be acceptable to me would be a change in the rhetoric.  "Hey, this might be something to look out for, watch your potassium levels, but don't freak out over it" would do just fine.

I have to really disagree with these two posts.

First off, everyone's physiology is different. Just because you happened to handle processing spiro in your body one way, doesn't mean that everyone in the same age range will do the same. Too many variables to predict something like this.

Spironolactone has been shown via lab results to cause your body to retain more potassium than it normally would retain. This is a fact. Not ficition. Furthermore, no one can predict what the level of increase maybe or what effect that will have on your body. It's just not possible. Again, everyone's physiology is different. Also do some reading on elevated potassium levels and their effect on coronary function.

Now, you can still have a banana or raisins from time to time, but I wouldn't eat them everyday while on spiro either.

FYI: I'm in my late 20s and my endo checks my potassium level during each blood test. So it's just not an issue for "older people" to worry about. Potassium levels can cause heart related problems very quickly if not monitored. Bottom line: MTF patients on spiro need to have their potassium levels monitored regularly.

[girl_ashley]

I am not arguing that we stop monitoring our potassium levels.  I am simply making a case that we soften the rhetoric on a bit.  That is all.   Jeeez.

[regan]

I am not arguing that we stop monitoring our potassium levels.  I am simply making a case that we soften the rhetoric on a bit.  That is all.   Jeeez.

Its not rhetoric though, there is sound research behind most of what is said in regards to HRT.  It applies to both cis and transgendered women on HRT (I'm excluding transmen becuase the topic is specific to female HRT).  Potential cardiac side effects of Sprio are well known and documented.  The increased risk of cancer due to estrogen therapy is well known and documented.  Finasteride even has potential side effects, all known and documented.

The sad fact is you have to teach to the lowest common denominator.  As a 3x DIYer, I know all to well the motivations for DIY, I also understand the risks and understand how important it is we make sure people are very aware of the potential health risks of the medications they are taking.  Liver damage, cardiac disease and cancer don't happen overnight, but a qualified doctor knows how to monitor their patient who's at increased risk for each of those things.  The worst thing we can do as consumers is discount the importance of appropriate medical monitoring throughout HRT.