hypokalemia

[Willow.J]

hi, I typically have low blood potassium even when taking prescription potassium. Hypokalemia started before I was taking any medications (although I now use something which compounds the problem).

Dietary intake isn't working for me, either.

I understand hypokalemia is usual for people with ME/CFS. Do we know of an effective way to treat this problem?

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

Hypokalaemia (= a low blood level of potassium) is NOT a normal funding in ME/CFS

Hypokalaemia can be caused by drugs (diuretics/water losing tablets and sometimes laxatives), kidney problems, prolonged diarrhoea and some other medical conditions (eg Cushings syndrome)

So this is something you must go and discuss with your doctor - because you may need further assessment/investigations to try and find out what is the cause

It is not an abnormality that you should be self treating

[Willow.J]

thanks Dr. Shepherd.

My kidney is fine. I do not have Cushings or anything like that. My doctor is aware and we are cycling through different types of prescription potassium (they tend to bother my stomach and gut).

I just thought you might know of something she did not (she is not an ME/CFS specialist), about how to treat the stubborn case of mild hypokalemia, because other ME/CFS specialists have told me hypokalemia is a common finding in their clinical experience with their patients.

I have a GI appointment coming up; maybe they will find out a cause for the hypokalemia in my case.

all the best.

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

I am not aware of any sound published research that has found hypokalaemia to be common in ME/CFS

So I remain concerned about proceeding on this basis