I take HBP meds and now I have too much potassium, which is not good -why?

Dennis,

Thanks for your great question. 

Potassium is one of the electrolytes within the blood and is very important to so many body functions that it would be impossible to list here.  Some important actions of potassium include metabolism involving heart muscle and heart electrical activity.  Potassium is a key factor in maintaining the normal acid-base balance within the bloodstream.  And it is also instrumental in transporting insulin into cells, a key factor in regulating sugar levels.  Suffice it to say that this is one of the substances that must be in a certain range, and that too much, as well as too little, can be detrimental and even dangerous.  Labs vary in their "normal range" but in general a level of 3.5 to 5.0 is the ballpark figure.

The next question to ask is: why is your potassium level high?  A major cause of elevated potassium is medication.  Certain diuretics are composed of two different types of medications: one that can loose potassium, and one that retains it.  Ideally, each should balance the other, but in some cases, one compound wins out and the level could be too low or too high.  Other common medications to raise potassium level are ace inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions.  These include lisinopril, vasotec, prinivil, and several others.

Another common cause of elevated potassium is the kidneys.  If kidney function is not quite normal, they are less efficient is getting rid of excess potassium and levels can rise.  Often, just watching your diet to avoid such items as potatoes, citrus fruits, bananas, and tomatoes, can keep levels controlled.

The next time your see your doctor, ask him about the possible causes of your elevated potassium.

I hope this has been helpful.  Best wishes.

Martin Cane, M.D.