If you have a potassium deficiency, you can replenish the mineral through diet, prescription medication or the use of supplements. When you have a low level of potassium in your blood, you might have hypokalemia, a potentially serious condition. It's possible to have a potassium deficiency, but not have hypokalemia, which your doctor can diagnose with a blood test. Do not take any supplements without first consulting your physician.
Diagnosis
Step 1
Undergo a full physical to verify that you have a potassium deficiency. Report any symptoms you might be experiencing and describe their severity. Inform your doctor about any medication that you are taking. Potassium can interact with certain medication, including diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzymes or ACE inhibitors captopril, lisinopril and enalapril.
Step 2
Ascertain if you have a potassium deficiency or hypokalemia, a potentially serious condition. Your doctor will make that determination after analyzing the level of potassium in your blood. If your potassium excretion rate routinely exceeds your potassium intake, you have a deficiency. If you have a low level of potassium in your blood plasma, you might have hypokalemia. Only your physician can make this diagnosis.
Step 3
Obtain any necessary prescriptions. Depending on how low your potassium level is, your physician might admit you to the hospital. If that happens, you will likely be given an intravenous potassium solution.
Supplements
Step 1
Fill any prescriptions you might have been given. Potassium is available in tablets, capsules, liquids or water soluble powders. It is also available as an effervescent tablet that can be dissolved in water.
Step 2
Visit your local health food store if your doctor has advised you to take over-the-counter supplements, which vary greatly in quality. Ask a clerk in the supplements department or call your doctor's office for a recommendation.
Step 3
Follow your doctor's instructions for dosing. If you are taking over-the-counter supplements, your physician might advise that you take more than the recommended daily intake.
Diet
Step 1
Shop for high-potassium foods. Just one cup of pinto beans has 1,370 mg of potassium. A cup of raisins has 1,106 mg, and half of a honeydew melon has 939 mg. Other potassium-rich foods include collard greens, nuts, salmon, beef, dairy products and tomatoes.
Step 2
Drink vegetable and fruit juices. Pomegranate juice, carrot juice, prune juice, tomato juice and orange juice can all provide you with potassium.
Step 3
Snack on potassium-rich foods throughout the day. Bananas, oranges, raspberries, strawberries and apples are all sources of potassium. If you have a fruit cocktail, drink the fruit juice too.
Tips and Warnings
- Do not drink sports drinks to replenish your potassium levels. In his book, "Sports Drinks: Basic Science and Practical Aspects," Ron Maughan writes that although sports drinks do contain electrolytes, their level of potassium is actually quite low. Follow up with your doctor after a week or two to have another blood test.
- If you are taking potassium supplements, you might experience side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea. Contact your physician immediately if you have more severe side effects or experience confusion, black stool, stomach pain or tingling in your arms, legs and feet.
Things You'll Need
- Blood serum test
- Potassium prescription or supplements
- High potassium fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts
References
- "Primer on Kidney Diseases"; Arthur Greenberg et al.; 2005
- PubMed Health; "Potassium"; September 1, 2008
- National Kidney Foundation: Potassium and Your CKD Diet
- "Sports Drinks: Basic Science and Practical Aspects"; Ron Maughan; 2001
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