Elevated Potassium

What Can Cause High Potassium?

Potassium is a mineral your body needs, but too much of it can be dangerous. Here are five common reasons why potassium might be high:

1. Lab Test Error (False High) Retest and notify the clinic.
   Sometimes, potassium looks high on a blood test because the blood sample was handled roughly or taken incorrectly. This can cause red blood cells to break, which releases potassium and gives a false result.
2. Eating Too Many High-Potassium Foods – Reduce high potassium foods.
   Foods like bananas, dried fruits, potatoes, spinach, and coconut water are healthy—but if you eat a lot of them, especially with kidney problems, potassium can build up in your blood.
3. Some Medications and Supplements – please advise you practitioner if you are taking any of the following medications.
   Certain medicines can make your potassium go up, like:
• Blood pressure tablets (e.g. ramipril, losartan)
• Water tablets that keep potassium in (e.g. spironolactone)
• Anti-inflammatories (e.g. ibuprofen)
• Avoid all supplements with potassium, including electrolytes, alkalising minerals and magnesium potassium powders
4. Kidney Problems
   Your kidneys help remove extra potassium. If they’re not working well, potassium can stay in your body and rise to unsafe levels.

Top 15 High-Potassium Foods and Drinks