Re: Hypokalemia (Low Potassium) with Sjogrens

[maroza]

I was diagnosed after some blood tests as having low potassium.  My Rhemy didn't know why?....so I was prescribed some potassium pills to bring it back up.  My body did not absorb the pills as they thought it would.  I do have Primary Sjogren's and so I did some searching.  I looked up some juices and foods that had a higher potassium level.  I found out that V-8 has 700 mg. of potassium and OJ has 490 mg.  That is as much as the pills that the Dr. prescribed and my body absorbed it alot better.  By the time I went to get my blood level checked again it was back up to 3.5 from 2.6.  I now drink a V-8 every day and suppliment with over the counter potassium pills that are alot easier to swallow that the big horse pills.  My Rhemy said that the low potassium was way out of his knowledge base???  I now have a new PCP that hopefully be able to help me more that he is.  She even requested some of the origional tests that I had done 5 yrs ago so I could see where I stand now.  Other that the fact the my SSA and SSB are now up to 8 from 1, and my dsDNA is now 18 from 9 the others were about the same.

[inga]

Ask for your other labs.  Sjogren's can come with Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis, of which low K is one symptom.  Other labs are also off...low Calcium, high chloride, high sodium, and usually a normal anion gap.  Your rheumie should know this.  Usually you need the potassium supplement if your level is low.  Dietary supplementation won't do it.  Low Potassium (K) can cause arrhythmia, so don't fool around with it.

[Scottietottie]

Hi  

I had a doc recall me once because I had high potassium. It didn't stay high though thankfully. I was told to lay off bananas.

[anita]

This is interesting.  I too have frequently low potassium labs.  I've had potassium by IV many times (thankfully via my medi-port so it doesn't burn).  I have problems absorbing it orally with my gastroparesis, but will look into the other means you mentioned.   I never associated it with SjS, until reading this and now wonder.  I also have had low calcium, but not sure about the last chloride or sodium.  Off the the PCP tomorrow after doing something to my lower back, so maybe I'll ask him about this.

Inga,

Are there other symptoms (or tell-tale signs) with the Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis?

[irish]

This distal renal tuberular Acidosis is one of those things that seems to stay hidden in the searches on google. I don't know what there is not more info out there.

I was a member on this site for a long, long time before I found an article just by accident.There was someone else who found some info and I remember that as soon as we posted this info there were people posting about their potassium and calcium issues.

This is a very important problem that can have some real health risks and I am astounded that the docs are not aware of it. Any time a person has low potassium there is a reason behind it. It is not just something that happens that then forget about it.

Any doctor should know that abnormal potassium and calcium levels need to be assessed. Need to know what cause they have all been taught about the relation of these levels and heart issues. I hope that you folks are all able to talk with your doc about this. Weakness to the point of being unable to walk can occur also. Need to find a doc who will know what to do.Irish

[inga]

https://health.google.com/health/ref/Distal+renal+tubular+acidosis

I have classic symptoms, and my GI simply focused on the low K.  All my labs for this were abnormal.  My GI told me many of his patients have low K with dysautonomia....what he didn't respond to is 'Do they also have high chloride?  Normal anion gap?  Low Ca? etc'.   I find lately docs seem to focus WAY to much on their specialty and not consider the systemic causes or effects of both the diseases and the meds.

There are several different types, but, dRTA is the most usual in SjS.

[jordozmom]

Yes, definitely have them check for Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis.  I ended up in the hospital paralyzed because my potassium level dropped so low my muscles stopped working - which is particularly bad because your heart is a muscle!!

I take Klor-Con supplements, plus my doctor has me take sodium bicarbonate tablets because the DRTA causes my blood to become too acidic and this can cause malabsorption of minerals.  I also have a prescription for Vitamin D and he has suggested I take Calcium supplements because I am low (but be careful - don't take the supplements before talking to your doctor in case you have calcium deposits in your kidneys - could give you stones!).

Good luck!

[gphx]

Some salt substitutes are made from potassium chloride. Many of the 'low sodium' foods use potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride as well. Those with high or low potassium might benefit from reading food labels.

[Prairie Gal]

My b.p. med (Amiloride; used to be on Spiralactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic and I've had to cut the dose because otherwise my K level is too high.  I eat just half of a banana at breakfast and potatoes only occasionally - they're good sources of K, too, as is O.J., which I seldom drink.

Prairie gal