metoprolol and high potassium

Posted by karinben @karinben, Jan 20 9:23am

A recent blood test showed I have high potassium. I take metoprolol for high blood pressure. I also eat daily a very large bowl of spinach and sweet potatoes. My doctor says to reduce both of these. Has anyone had a similar experience? Otherwise, I am healthy and active and my kidneys and liver are normal. Thank you.

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Hello @karinben
I use to take metoprolol long time back, never had potassium issues, most likely it is the diet ..check with your Dr, but here what I know of potassium % in some of the vegetable, as I had hyperkalemia prior to my kidney transplant - btw: Daily RDA for K is around 3200 - 3500 mg

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@l0lag0lag0b3

Hello @karinben
I use to take metoprolol long time back, never had potassium issues, most likely it is the diet ..check with your Dr, but here what I know of potassium % in some of the vegetable, as I had hyperkalemia prior to my kidney transplant - btw: Daily RDA for K is around 3200 - 3500 mg

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Thanks for writing back. Yes, my diet was heavy into potassium rich foods so I hope that is it, my blood test said my kidney and liver function was fine. Was this your first symptom of kidney disease? I hope your transplant has worked well for you. Again, take care, Karin

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Thanks @karenben, So far so good my new kidney function is fairly good ( btw: my wife was the donor ... a miracle in my mind ) till today..completed 4&1/2 yrs, Yes in my view - hyperkalemia was the beginning where the kidney function is on a downward slope...final stage is when you go in phosphate binders..at that time pretty much your kidney function is below 20 (my experience) time to come down below 20 towards 12 gfr varies per person could be 2 yrs, few months or less . .. that is a big variable. Best

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@l0lag0lag0b3

Thanks @karenben, So far so good my new kidney function is fairly good ( btw: my wife was the donor ... a miracle in my mind ) till today..completed 4&1/2 yrs, Yes in my view - hyperkalemia was the beginning where the kidney function is on a downward slope...final stage is when you go in phosphate binders..at that time pretty much your kidney function is below 20 (my experience) time to come down below 20 towards 12 gfr varies per person could be 2 yrs, few months or less . .. that is a big variable. Best

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Thanks for writing and good that all is going so well. That's fantastic. Wishing you the best.

Take care,

Karin

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@l0lag0lag0b3

Thanks @karenben, So far so good my new kidney function is fairly good ( btw: my wife was the donor ... a miracle in my mind ) till today..completed 4&1/2 yrs, Yes in my view - hyperkalemia was the beginning where the kidney function is on a downward slope...final stage is when you go in phosphate binders..at that time pretty much your kidney function is below 20 (my experience) time to come down below 20 towards 12 gfr varies per person could be 2 yrs, few months or less . .. that is a big variable. Best

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Hello again, My husband suggested I mention this, that other than high potassium all else looks good, my kidney function is good and I have robust energy. I walk 6 miles a day, ballroom dance, lift weights...and on and on for a 72 year old! He thinks if I had kidney disease I would be symptomatic in other ways. He has stage 3 kidney disease. Anyhow, thanks if you have any thoughts. I tend to be as you might have guessed a bit of a worryier. I see my provider on Friday for a retest.

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Routine blood tests will show high creatinine levels with progressive kidney disease. If this hasn't been mentioned to you yet, chances are good that you just have a diet that's a little ambitious with the potassium. In my case, when my first catheter ablation failed and I was admitted to the ER for tests, they put me on amiodarone to stop the arrhythmia and gave them two large white long tablets. I asked, and they said my potassium was low. This is strange because I eat, without a word of a lie, about half a cup of peanut butter each day with bread for breakfast. Lots of potassium there. Potatoes, beets, dried apricots, coconut water....all rich sources of potassium, and I get all of them at least once a week. But...... ???!!

That said, a single healthy kidney should dump everything in excess. That means magnesium, calcium, and potassium, as examples. So it's worth pursuing with your doctor. If you reduce your intake by approximately 30%, and then get another assay in about three weeks, that should tell you if you need to investigate further.

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@gloaming

Routine blood tests will show high creatinine levels with progressive kidney disease. If this hasn't been mentioned to you yet, chances are good that you just have a diet that's a little ambitious with the potassium. In my case, when my first catheter ablation failed and I was admitted to the ER for tests, they put me on amiodarone to stop the arrhythmia and gave them two large white long tablets. I asked, and they said my potassium was low. This is strange because I eat, without a word of a lie, about half a cup of peanut butter each day with bread for breakfast. Lots of potassium there. Potatoes, beets, dried apricots, coconut water....all rich sources of potassium, and I get all of them at least once a week. But...... ???!!

That said, a single healthy kidney should dump everything in excess. That means magnesium, calcium, and potassium, as examples. So it's worth pursuing with your doctor. If you reduce your intake by approximately 30%, and then get another assay in about three weeks, that should tell you if you need to investigate further.

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Many thanks for your help in processing this and yes, creatine is not an issue with me. My husband has stage 3 kidney disease and that is what is watched in his routine blood tests. So far so good for me and I have another test this Friday after the diet adjustments. We shall see. Wishing you all good things and again, thanks.

Karin

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