Potasium Low

MichelleS61
on 4/14/18 11:02 am - Lindsay, Canada
RNY on 02/26/18

Any suggestions on sources of Potasium other than bananas? Just had some bloodwork to check on a few items and my potasium has dropped below minimum has been on a downward trend since December, tested in January and again before surgery in February. If necessary I'll have to add supplements I guess? See Doctor on Monday (funny just threw out the supplements I had as they'd expired from last time I had issues 2 years ago.)

I know too high is also an issue? Good new was that my A1C is now down to 6.0 and I haven't been having lows, so maybe I'll be able to stop meal time insulin.

57 - 6'0" - HW:288 SW:260 CW:185

TWH: Referral Aug. '16, Orientation - Nov. 30 '16, Surgeon Oct. 6 '17, Start Optifast Feb. 5'18 - Surgery Feb. 26'18

Opti -25; M1 -23; M2 -17; M3 -7; M4 -5; M5 -5; M6 -6; M7 -0; M8 -2; M9 -0; M10 -2; M11-0; M12-4;

Jester
on 4/14/18 12:59 pm
RNY on 03/21/16

Bananas have a great reputation for being high in potassium, but there are actually foods much higher than bananas.

An avocado, for instance, has twice the potassium of a banana. Spinach, sweet potatoes and salmon are also loaded with it. So depending on your diet and tastes, there should be some good options for you for getting a natural, food based source of potassium.

Grim_Traveller
on 4/14/18 2:00 pm
RNY on 08/21/12

Foods that are really high in potassium, like bananas and potatoes, you really shouldn't be eating during weight loss (or after, very often.)

Foods with potassium that are healthy will never go down in quantities large enough to help much right now.

Take a potassium supplement. It's no big deal.

Powerade Zero, I believe, has some potassium in it, but not a lot.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

MichelleS61
on 4/14/18 3:31 pm, edited 4/14/18 8:32 am - Lindsay, Canada
RNY on 02/26/18

Thanks, thought you might have some idea, I've been trying to get nutrients from food as much as I can but I know many of the typical sources of some things I just can't have, I've been avoiding fruit pretty much as I'm trying to keep my Insulin really low and I would need a lot to convert the sugar in fruit. I'm seeing my endocrinologist on Monday so will ask about suitable levels to supplement, I also know I need the potassium for heart health from past experience.

57 - 6'0" - HW:288 SW:260 CW:185

TWH: Referral Aug. '16, Orientation - Nov. 30 '16, Surgeon Oct. 6 '17, Start Optifast Feb. 5'18 - Surgery Feb. 26'18

Opti -25; M1 -23; M2 -17; M3 -7; M4 -5; M5 -5; M6 -6; M7 -0; M8 -2; M9 -0; M10 -2; M11-0; M12-4;

Citizen Kim
on 4/14/18 4:45 pm - Castle Rock, CO

Potassium is one of those supplements that should only be taken under medical supervision ie, regular testing! I'm sure your endo will be on top of it, but make sure they fully discuss and explain why and how, so YOU know how to keep an eye on it and THEM in the future.

Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist

NYMom222
on 4/14/18 9:26 pm
RNY on 07/23/14

My best sources of potassium are low sodium V8. I just buy the minicans like 30 calories each. I also use Morton Lite salt which is half regular salt half potassium chloride.

Cynthia 5'11" RNY 7/23/2014

Goal reached 17 months. 220lb Weight Loss
Plastic Surgery Dr. Joseph Michaels - LBL and Hernia Repair 2/29/16, Arm Lift, BL, 5/2/16, Leg Lift 7/25/16

#lifeisanadventure #fightthegoodfight #noregrets

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MichelleS61
on 4/15/18 11:33 am - Lindsay, Canada
RNY on 02/26/18

Unfortunately this is not the first time I've been down this road, the last time was discovered by accident hence the fact I've been tested regularly over the last few months, I also know that once I start supplements I need to be tested once a month till I get to better levels, I'm just finding I get it up to normal, then it falls continually over the 8-10 months till it's down again. This may also have something to do with my blood pressure not coming down that much even though we added a 3rd med in January.

And some people wonder why I had weight loss surgery.

57 - 6'0" - HW:288 SW:260 CW:185

TWH: Referral Aug. '16, Orientation - Nov. 30 '16, Surgeon Oct. 6 '17, Start Optifast Feb. 5'18 - Surgery Feb. 26'18

Opti -25; M1 -23; M2 -17; M3 -7; M4 -5; M5 -5; M6 -6; M7 -0; M8 -2; M9 -0; M10 -2; M11-0; M12-4;

Amy R.
on 4/15/18 1:45 pm

I'm chronically potassium deficient and just take it in pill form now.

Be careful though, because both too little & too much can really mess with your heart rhythm. Enough to kill you actually. Glad you're seeing your doc tomorrow. You can get the pill form maybe and also get info from him on how he plans to monitor your levels. Also - I suggest you start a log and record your levels every time you get a blood draw. That way you can see trends and be really proactive.

You'll do absolutely fine as long as you get regular labs and remain vigilant.

Jester
on 4/15/18 4:42 pm
RNY on 03/21/16

Sorry - I didn't notice you were less than 2 months post-op. I also try and get as many of my nutrients from food as possible, but Grim is right, at this point you wouldn't be able to eat a quantity of food necessary to get any significant benefit. As other have said, I'd explore getting on a supplement under the doc's supervision (which it appears you are!). Maybe down the road, in maintenance, you will be able to reduce or eliminate the need for supplementation via food if you chose.

MarinaGirl
on 4/16/18 8:10 am

Coconu****er has more potassium than a medium banana. Other sources are spinach, kidney beans, and potatoes.

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