Do You Think "Fasting" Would Impact a Potassium Level

[Christine]

Yesterday I was at my doctor's office for a follow-up to some tests I had. (Echocardiogram and Blood Workup). Anyway, my blood potassium level was "flagged" at being a bit low. The doctor was not concerned about it at all--says that sometimes people get skewed results from day to day. The lowest normal level is 3.5 and mine was 3.2. Several months ago it was at 3.7.

When I had the 3.7 test result, I had not fasted before the test. For this most recent test, I was having all sorts of othe stuff done and I had not eaten for approximately 15 hours prior to the blood draw.

I'm just a bit freaked out by it because I don't like things to be off and I'm a hypochondriac. Common sense tells me that maybe I was slightly dehydrated (and I sure felt wiped out) when I had the test done from not eating or drinking for so long.

What do you think? I don't want to pester the doctor anymore and HE isn't worried. But I am....

 

[Nancy]

I would think that would do it. My aunt was hospitalized becuase she passed out and her potassium level was really low. Turned out she was supposed to have a colonoscophy (sp?) done and they told her to fast for a certain amount of hours. She decided that she would increase the amount of fasting time to be sure she was really cleaned out. Once they started hydrating her she got better real quick.

 

[TiggerTails57]

Christine.......do you get muscle cramps? When my potassium is low I notice this when walking.
Eat bananas, potatoes, dates, OJ, veggies and fruits in general to bring it up. Being low can wipe you out feeling tired etc.....I would not worry too much about fasting before the test, it is a standard test just eat the right foods and go for a re-test in a month or two.
Do you take a diaretic?
My levels were VERY low and I was getting chest pains (pretty scary). But, I have gone from a 3.1 to a 4.5 just be eating the right foods. It was -3.1 with a potassium pill every day ((10 meq)) But, I managed to bring it up by drinking two small glasses of OJ each day and eating a banana plus adding more fruits and veggies. Good Luck.

 

[Christine]

Christine.......do you get muscle cramps? When my potassium is low I notice this when walking.
Eat bananas, potatoes, dates, OJ, veggies and fruits in general to bring it up. Being low can wipe you out feeling tired etc.....I would not worry too much about fasting before the test, it is a standard test just eat the right foods and go for a re-test in a month or two.
Do you take a diaretic?
My levels were VERY low and I was getting chest pains (pretty scary). But, I have gone from a 3.1 to a 4.5 just be eating the right foods. It was -3.1 with a potassium pill every day ((10 meq)) But, I managed to bring it up by drinking two small glasses of OJ each day and eating a banana plus adding more fruits and veggies. Good Luck.

Actually, I don't have any symptoms of low potassium. I do feel fatigued a lot but I felt that way when my potassium was "normal" at 3.7. I do not have any muscle cramps and I do not take a diuretic. I probably just don't eat well.

The reason I asked about fasting is because when I went for this test (last month), I knew he was going to run a cholesterol test (which he wants fasting). My last bit of food was at 6:00 p.m. at night. I had a bit of water in the morning to take my meds, but didn't end up having my blood drawn until about 10:00 a.m.

As far as a re-test, he doesn't even want to retest me. He is not concerned. He did tell me to have an extra serving of fruit and/or veggies per day.

Did you say that your potassium level was -3.1???

 

[TiggerTails57]

Yes it was 3.1 on a test........but, I think it had got even lower than that. I started eating high potassium foods and went for a test, and it was 3.1.

 

[TiggerTails57]

If your Dr is not worried, and you are not having cramps etc.....then just follow his advice and don't worry! Do you like OJ?

We are going to SOG in April

 

[Disney Doll]

My guess is the fasting affected the potassium level, especially since you are not on a diuretic. That's one of the more common things that can cause a low potassium level sometimes.

If your doctor said don't worry, then don't worry!!!!! The average person with no extenuating circumstances (such as taking a diuretic) gets enough potassium in their normal diet to keep their potassium level perfectly within normal limits. If it makes you feel better, eat a banana once in a while...but not every day or you may get constipated!!!! If you're not diabetic you can drink some orange juice every day...that has potassium in it. But personally, I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[Nanajo1]

Your level was only slightly out of normal range(3.5-5). Dehydration caused by sweating, diarrhea or decreased intake can affect your blood levels. If you are not symptomatic and your MD is not concerned I would relax. If YOU are concerned then as others have said eat a banana or drink some OJ. Both are good sources of potassium. But don't over do. A high potassium is not good either. Everything in moderation is a good plan.

 

[caitycaity]

i wouldn't worry about it, since your dr. was not worried.

i hate having to fast for blood tests! i have rolling veins and no one can ever stick me easily. between no food and the anxiety, i almost always come close to passing out (and one time i did - right in the middle of the waiting room! ).

 

[Christine]

Thanks! It is very hard not to worry as a practicing hypochondria. I just can't help it.

I guess I'll stick with the bananas. I really love OJ, but it gives me TERRIBLE heartburn. Yet, I can eat oranges just fine. So, I'll have to increase that.

I haven't been eating a lot of fruit because it all looks and tastes like wax right about now. Even the bananas don't seem to get beyond being light green. Can't wait until summer.