I got my lab results back and my potassium was high, which is unsafe. I don't stay hydrated enough (24 oz on average), but I'm changing that. How much water do you gals drink a day and how much has it helped your numbers (the last bit maybe against the rules)? I was thinking a gallon (about 3.7 liters) is probably enough to help filter it.

Also if my hand was gripping a stress ball to make veins more visible before getting tested would this elevate the results?

As far as foods go I tracked what I ate today and it was about 1500-2000mg of potassium.  I eat almost the same thing everyday, so it should be in that range everyday. Most of this comes from the 3 serving of dairy that I eat due to calcium/vitamin-D deficiencies.

I thought that you girls would be better at addressing this as spiro may effect potassium levels even though I'm on T.

I don't drink enough fluids either. And, in fact, I don't drink anything that doesn't contain caffeine... So I'm a bad person there. However, I donate blood plasma twice a week, and I have really low potassium levels. My doctor seems to think the two are related. That, somehow the plasmophoresis process takes my excess potassium with it. So, if that's true, yay me - I get paid to keep my potassium levels low.

Lay off the bananas. 

If you are dehydrated, you Alkaline Phosphate levels will be very high.  I know because mine are on the limit. It shouldn't effect potassium levels. Spiro effects potassium because it keeps it in the blood while eliminating everything else. But I don't know it prolly effects potassium too. Because my potassium levels were also high but not so much that anyone said anything. Drink 48 oz a day. You'll be fine. I just thgought it was the spiro but maybe it is the dehydration. Hmm.

Are you on a high dose of Spiro?  Or are your potassium levels just high?

Some recommend drinking three liters of water a day to cope with the high spiro dose used for MtF to keep properly hydrated - and this is nice clean water not processed drinks.  For high potassium levels you need to look at sources of potassium in your diet, you may have to change some things you normally eat or drink to limit potassium intake and avoid trouble.  For sure avoid salt substitutes.

Good luck!


Erin

I'm not on spiro, but since my issues are similar to those that some one on spiro would encounter.

My diet summary

Morning meal: yogurt and granola (650mg)
Lunch meal: burrito (650mg-700mg) -  I could make better by making my own opposed to the pre-packaged ones.
Snack group 1: watermelon, pears, blueberries, or strawberries (200mg-300mg) except blueberries are (100mg)
Drinks: Diet Mountain Dew (100mg at least/can), coffee (120mg/cup)
Snack group 2:
I used to eat a 10oz salad everyday, which is 400mg-600mg for the salad part, 100mg for blue cheese and dressing combined. I've been eating other things with about (100mg-200mg) instead due to being lazy.

I'm guessing the major source for potassium is mountain dew and coffee. I plan to remove the mountain dew now, but coffee (10oz/day) is much harder to wean off of without falling asleep in class.