Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Suzy on May 29, 2009, 07:59:23 AM

Title: Low Potassium Options
Post by: Suzy on May 29, 2009, 07:59:23 AM
So, as discussed in other topics,  Spiro is a Potassium sparing drug.  I have been told that it is important not to partake of too much potassium while on it.  Has anyone found good solutions to this?  In particular, any multivitamins you like to take that would fall into this range?  What foods and drinks are best left out of your diet?

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
Title: Re: Low Potassium Options
Post by: Sandy on May 29, 2009, 08:46:12 AM
Quote from: Kristi on May 29, 2009, 07:59:23 AM
So, as discussed in other topics,  Spiro is a Potassium sparing drug.  I have been told that it is important not to partake of too much potassium while on it.  Has anyone found good solutions to this?  In particular, any multivitamins you like to take that would fall into this range?  What foods and drinks are best left out of your diet?

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
When I started taking spiro, about the only thing my doctor said half jokingly was to go easy on the bananas.

Other than that, he really didn't have too much to say except to eat healthy and get plenty of exercise.  But what doctor doesn't say that?

-Sandy
Title: Re: Low Potassium Options
Post by: finewine on May 29, 2009, 08:46:54 AM
Potassium is very widely found in a number of foods, which makes reducing your intake require some careful selection.  Many online lists of K containing foods but, of course, the veracity of these is subject to scrutiny (just 'coz it's written down doesn't make it true) :)

For example:
http://www.drugs.com/cg/potassium-content-of-foods-list.html (http://www.drugs.com/cg/potassium-content-of-foods-list.html)

And this PDF document at least seems to come from a verifiable source:
http://www.pamf.org/patients/pdf/potassium_count.pdf (http://www.pamf.org/patients/pdf/potassium_count.pdf)
Title: Re: Low Potassium Options
Post by: Lisbeth on May 29, 2009, 03:35:56 PM
Look for a site that lists what to eat if you need potassium, and X them off your list.
Title: Re: Low Potassium Options
Post by: ArleneTgirl on May 29, 2009, 03:44:15 PM
I've also heard this, but my Doctor also says, just eat healthy.  He monitors my blood every 3 months, and, so far, everything is good.  I eat banana's, potato's (high in pottasium), and broccoli.  I don't think it's a good idea to eliminate these foods, especially green leafy vegetables (which are all high in potassium) unless your doctor specifically tells you to.
Title: Re: Low Potassium Options
Post by: Syne on May 29, 2009, 06:12:47 PM
I was on a good sized dosage and while I  avoided bananas (because I dislike them) I took a multi vitamin every day and ate Special K on many mornings. I never had any bloodwork come back reflecting too high on the count but did have symptoms a couple of times. Drank more water, watched what I was taking in for a couple of days and it cleared up.

YMMV of course.
Title: Re: Low Potassium Options
Post by: Janet_Girl on May 29, 2009, 07:49:44 PM
I eat what I like.  And my potassium levels have remained the same for the last year.  I eat healthy  and avoid certain food that my Father had to, because he was being treated for high potassium and high blood pressure.

Janet
Title: Re: Low Potassium Options
Post by: Michelle. on May 29, 2009, 09:33:57 PM
Quote from: finewine on May 29, 2009, 08:46:54 AM
Potassium is very widely found in a number of foods, which makes reducing your intake require some careful selection.  Many online lists of K containing foods but, of course, the veracity of these is subject to scrutiny (just 'coz it's written down doesn't make it true) :)

For example:
http://www.drugs.com/cg/potassium-content-of-foods-list.html (http://www.drugs.com/cg/potassium-content-of-foods-list.html)

And this PDF document at least seems to come from a verifiable source:
http://www.pamf.org/patients/pdf/potassium_count.pdf (http://www.pamf.org/patients/pdf/potassium_count.pdf)

Bloody Hell, most of my favorite drinks/food are on that list. Coffee, milk, cantaloupe. OJ, tomato juice etc etc...


Post Merge: May 29, 2009, 09:44:35 PM

Update. I couldn't find the link if my life depended on it, but a member here posted along this line prior.

"You know your potassium level is too high when you get light headed."

The above would be a sign that ones blood pressure is dropping.

Also Walgreens and CVS type stores sell home BP monitering machines for well under $100 these days. At the very least its probably a good idea to establish ones baseline BP and than check it every few weeks at the grocery store or drug stores free BP machine.
Title: Re: Low Potassium Options
Post by: Ms.Behavin on May 31, 2009, 10:45:22 PM
It's more to just avoid excess potassium.  So no eating a bunch of banana's a day.  But just eat sensibly.  I never had a problem with it either and test results were normal.

Beni