What can cause potassium to be high

• Are you at risk of hyperkalemia?

  Potassium is a mineral found in some fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, beans, and nuts. The right level of potassium helps your muscles—including your heart—work as they should. Among many other jobs, your kidneys work hard to balance the potassium you ingest through food and the potassium you eliminate through urine. But sometimes, too much potassium builds up in your blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia.

  Hyperkalemia symptoms include muscle fatigue and weakness, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), and even heart attack. A variety of conditions and health issues can cause potassium levels to rise, and it’s possible to have hyperkalemia without symptoms; that’s why it’s important to know what causes it. Once you know if you’re at risk, you can take measures to keep potassium levels balanced.

• 1. Acute Kidney Failure

  Acute kidney failure means your kidneys can longer remove waste, including excess potassium, from your body. It comes on suddenly, usually over a few days, and it can be life-threatening. Acute kidney failure is most common in people who are hospitalized, especially if they’re in intensive care. Tell your doctor if you’re not urinating as much as usual or if you’re experiencing swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs. Depending on your overall health, acute kidney failure can be reversed. When your acute kidney failure is treated, your potassium levels will likely go back down to healthy levels.

• 2. Chronic Kidney Disease

  Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a lifelong condition that requires lifelong management. About 14% of people in the United States are living with CKD. It can take a variety of forms, but it’s most often caused by high blood pressure or diabetes. People with CKD have a higher risk of developing hyperkalemia than those who don’t. One study showed that 40 to 50% of those with CKD had hyperkalemia, too. If you have CKD, get your potassium levels checked regularly.

• 3. Addison’s Disease

  Addison’s disease (also called primary adrenal insufficiency) occurs when the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, don’t produce enough of two particular hormones. The most common symptoms of Addison’s disease are fatigue and hyperpigmentation–a darkening of the skin around scars and skin creases. Addison’s disease is rare, and symptoms can vary from person to person. Several tests are available to help with diagnosis, including a blood test that measures hormone and potassium levels. If you have Addison’s disease, make sure to stay on top of your potassium levels and tell your doctor if you’re experiencing any new symptoms.

• 4. High Blood Pressure Medicines

  Certain medications that treat high blood pressure can lead to high potassium levels. These include angiotensin II receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and beta blockers. Diuretics, or water pills, are also often prescribed for high blood pressure to flush more water and sodium from the body. If you take any of these medicines, talk with your doctor about potassium. You may need to determine together if the treatment benefits outweigh the side effects. And ask if regular potassium testing can be incorporated into your treatment plan.

• 5. Type 1 Diabetes

  If you have type 1 diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar at a healthy level, and the condition also interferes with how your body processes potassium. You may also be getting more potassium from your diabetes-friendly diet than you would otherwise. And on top of all that, many people with diabetes also take blood pressure medications that raise potassium levels. The risk of developing hyperkalemia tends to increase over time, as you get older and live with type 1 diabetes longer, so it’s important to frequently discuss your potassium levels with your doctor and report any symptoms of hyperkalemia right away.

• 6. Dehydration

  The body becomes dehydrated when it loses more fluids than it consumes. When the body doesn’t have enough fluids, it can’t process potassium properly, and potassium builds up in the blood, which can lead to hyperkalemia. Symptoms of dehydration include excessive thirst, less frequent urination, and darker urine. Some people also feel dizzy or confused. If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor about your fluid intake and make sure you’re getting enough, especially if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

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