Potassium

Balance101 · 07-11-2011, 01:16 PM

I took the advice of some of you guys and bought potassium to take while on VLCDs. Today, I freaked out because I am on YAZ and I remembered it can be dangerous to take too much potassium with it.

I went to ****** and looked it up. I have been getting approx. 1,500 mg out of a daily recommended 4,700, since I started hcg. My multivitamin doesn't seem to have any at all and the Nature's way Potassium Chelate I bought are only 99 mg each! (I have only been taking one daily.) I can't believe I bought such a low dose.

Can low potassium be what is making me feel kind of spacey w/ low energy? How many mg do you guys take daily?

ShinyGoldSun · 07-11-2011, 01:28 PM

Hey Balance 101,

Don't beat yourself up for buying such a small dose!! I think, by law, there can only be a maximum of 99mg of potassium in any supplement tablet/pill. It can be very dangerous to take too much at once in certain circumstances. I would check with my DR before taking any supplements if I were you, esp with taking YAZ!!

Muscle cramping etc can indicate low potassium, however, other conditions can also cause muscle cramping. I am not sure if a deficiency in potassium can cause 'low energy or spaciness'.

I know that it would be best if you could get your potassium (if your DR. OKs it) from fresh fruits and vegetables. Good (or GREAT depending on how much you have!) low carb sources of potassium are: dark leafy greens (spinach, romaine, kale etc), zucchini, yellow 'summer' squash, broccoli. Fruits: canteloupe, strawberries, honeydew.

Hope this helps.

ShinyGoldSun :O)

Balance101 · 07-11-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyGoldSun

Hey Balance 101,

Don't beat yourself up for buying such a small dose!! I think, by law, there can only be a maximum of 99mg of potassium in any supplement tablet/pill. It can be very dangerous to take too much at once in certain circumstances. I would check with my DR before taking any supplements if I were you, esp with taking YAZ!!

Muscle cramping etc can indicate low potassium, however, other conditions can also cause muscle cramping. I am not sure if a deficiency in potassium can cause 'low energy or spaciness'.

I know that it would be best if you could get your potassium (if your DR. OKs it) from fresh fruits and vegetables. Good (or GREAT depending on how much you have!) low carb sources of potassium are: dark leafy greens (spinach, romaine, kale etc), zucchini, yellow 'summer' squash, broccoli. Fruits: canteloupe, strawberries, honeydew.

Hope this helps.

ShinyGoldSun :O)

I wonder why they can only sell 99 mg when the RDA is 4,700 mg.

Anyhow, thanks Sunny! You were a big help. I'll incorporate some of those foods tonight.

privatediva · 07-11-2011, 01:54 PM

I'd ask the Dr as well, Balance. I had some high potassium numbers earlier this year (due to a prescription med I was taking, it turned out) and my normally kind of inattentive internist really perked up and wanted that fixed. So I don't think you want to go there.

Low potassium is not good either. Here is the list of symptoms from emedicinehealth.com:

Quote:

Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)
Tingling or numbness
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal cramping, bloating
Constipation
Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
Fainting due to low blood pressure
Abnormal psychological behavior: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion, or hallucinations.

Balance101 · 07-11-2011, 02:07 PM

I sent an email to my Dr's office asking what they thought about it. Thanks ladies.

Balance101 · 07-15-2011, 08:08 AM

Ok, well the doctor had me come in to have my blood drawn and tested for potassium. I am so glad I did that! Normal potassium is 3.5 - 5.0 and mine is 5.2 (mild hyperkalemia) even after eating 500-600 calories for 10 days!

I can imagine what it was before.

I am on Yaz and that has a lot (I'm guessing everything) to do with it. Thank god, I didn't just start taking a large amount of potassium as a supplement. I could be in big trouble right now.

Thanks so much Sunny and Diva!

Not sure if I would have had it checked without you guys prompting me.

Now, thinking about stopping the Yaz. I started it to help with PMDD and it worked wonders for it, but I also take fluoxetine 2 weeks a month to assist with it. Maybe they can just up that dosage. But then I get another pill...bleh. Maybe hubby will consider getting fixed. Damn men have it so easy!

privatediva · 07-15-2011, 10:50 AM

I feel for you, Balance! I had my tubes tied during my 3rd C-section...what a relief it has been for the last 17 years, not to have to fuss with BC. I only just now am doing the menopause thing, so I got a good long amount of "use" out of my tubal ligation.

I'm so glad you went to your Dr!

Lildrew · 07-15-2011, 11:27 AM

Balance I have no advice, but I just wanted to say I love your new avatar!! Pretty pretty!!

Balance101 · 07-16-2011, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lildrew

Balance I have no advice, but I just wanted to say I love your new avatar!! Pretty pretty!!

Hey, how did I miss this?!

Thanks Drew!!

07-11-2011, 01:16 PM	#1
Balance101 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CT girl in NC Posts: 1,010 Gallery: Balance101 WOE: hHcg Start Date: 10/1/12	Potassium I took the advice of some of you guys and bought potassium to take while on VLCDs. Today, I freaked out because I am on YAZ and I remembered it can be dangerous to take too much potassium with it. I went to ****** and looked it up. I have been getting approx. 1,500 mg out of a daily recommended 4,700, since I started hcg. My multivitamin doesn't seem to have any at all and the Nature's way Potassium Chelate I bought are only 99 mg each! (I have only been taking one daily.) I can't believe I bought such a low dose. Can low potassium be what is making me feel kind of spacey w/ low energy? How many mg do you guys take daily? __________________ Corey ~ Age 48, 5'3"

07-11-2011, 01:28 PM	#2
ShinyGoldSun Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: TX Posts: 11 Gallery: ShinyGoldSun Stats: (270 highest) 233/233/145~5ft7in~ WOE: Protein Power, meat/fat/veggies/fruit Start Date: 20July2012	Hey Balance 101, Don't beat yourself up for buying such a small dose!! I think, by law, there can only be a maximum of 99mg of potassium in any supplement tablet/pill. It can be very dangerous to take too much at once in certain circumstances. I would check with my DR before taking any supplements if I were you, esp with taking YAZ!! Muscle cramping etc can indicate low potassium, however, other conditions can also cause muscle cramping. I am not sure if a deficiency in potassium can cause 'low energy or spaciness'. I know that it would be best if you could get your potassium (if your DR. OKs it) from fresh fruits and vegetables. Good (or GREAT depending on how much you have!) low carb sources of potassium are: dark leafy greens (spinach, romaine, kale etc), zucchini, yellow 'summer' squash, broccoli. Fruits: canteloupe, strawberries, honeydew. Hope this helps. ShinyGoldSun :O) Last edited by ShinyGoldSun; 07-11-2011 at 01:30 PM.. Reason: mg of potassium in supplements

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07-11-2011, 02:07 PM	#5
Balance101 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CT girl in NC Posts: 1,010 Gallery: Balance101 WOE: hHcg Start Date: 10/1/12	I sent an email to my Dr's office asking what they thought about it. Thanks ladies.

07-15-2011, 08:08 AM	#6
Balance101 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CT girl in NC Posts: 1,010 Gallery: Balance101 WOE: hHcg Start Date: 10/1/12	Ok, well the doctor had me come in to have my blood drawn and tested for potassium. I am so glad I did that! Normal potassium is 3.5 - 5.0 and mine is 5.2 (mild hyperkalemia) even after eating 500-600 calories for 10 days! I can imagine what it was before. I am on Yaz and that has a lot (I'm guessing everything) to do with it. Thank god, I didn't just start taking a large amount of potassium as a supplement. I could be in big trouble right now. Thanks so much Sunny and Diva! Not sure if I would have had it checked without you guys prompting me. Now, thinking about stopping the Yaz. I started it to help with PMDD and it worked wonders for it, but I also take fluoxetine 2 weeks a month to assist with it. Maybe they can just up that dosage. But then I get another pill...bleh. Maybe hubby will consider getting fixed. Damn men have it so easy!

07-15-2011, 10:50 AM	#7
privatediva Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USA Posts: 2,544 Gallery: privatediva Stats: 128 (R2ldw 128) 5'7" WOE: healthful, delicious low carb Start Date: 6/28/2011 (started HCG) maintaining since 9/2011	I feel for you, Balance! I had my tubes tied during my 3rd C-section...what a relief it has been for the last 17 years, not to have to fuss with BC. I only just now am doing the menopause thing, so I got a good long amount of "use" out of my tubal ligation. I'm so glad you went to your Dr!

07-15-2011, 11:27 AM	#8
Lildrew Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,070 Gallery: Lildrew Stats: 171.4/162/140 WOE: hHcg/later LC Start Date: 7/16/12	Balance I have no advice, but I just wanted to say I love your new avatar!! Pretty pretty!!