While sodium is the mineral found in the highest amounts outside your cells, potassium is found in the largest amounts inside your cells. Potassium is a vital mineral to your health and is responsible for tasks such as maintaining your heartbeat and helping your muscle cells move. If your potassium levels creep up too high, however, you can experience adverse side effects, including tingling and numbness in the body. Talk with your health care provider if you are concerned about your potassium levels.
Symptoms
Also known as hyperkalemia, high potassium in your body can contribute to a number of harmful side effects, some of which can be life-threatening. You may notice tingling and numbness, particularly in the hands and feet. Your feet and hands may feel as if they are "asleep." Because your body relies on the exchange of potassium and sodium to create energy that helps your muscles move and nerves communicate, they may not be able to function properly if your potassium levels are too high. As a result, you can experience tingling and numbness along with other symptoms, such as muscle weakness or abnormal heart rhythms. See your physician immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Safe Levels
Your physician can perform a blood test to determine the level of potassium in your blood. Safe potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L, according to the National Kidney Foundation. As your levels increase to between 5.1 and 6.0, you are considered in the "caution" zone, where you can experience adverse symptoms. Dangerous potassium levels are those higher than 6.0 mEq/L. Potassium levels this high can be life-threatening.
Underlying Conditions
While fruits and vegetables are high in potassium and can contribute to your overall potassium levels, high potassium is rarely due to the foods you eat. Instead, high potassium can indicate the presence of an underlying condition such as acute or chronic kidney failure, excess use of potassium-sparing diuretics or a condition called hypoaldosteronism, where your body does not excrete enough aldosterone, a hormone that releases potassium.
Warning
If you take potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements, be aware that dosages higher than 18 g of potassium can contribute to hyperkalemia and symptoms such as numbness and tingling, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. If you have accidentally skipped a dosage, carefully read your medication label or contact your physician before taking another dose to ensure you do not exceed this limit.
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