High potassium a concern?

February 25th, 2008

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 76-year-old male with several health problems. I have had type II diabetes for 40 years. I keep good control with no known damage from it. I also have well-controlled (with medication) high blood pressure. I am now having a problem with a high potassium level. It went from 4.9 to over 6.5 in one year. I have included a copy of my blood work.

Do you have any suggestions?

DEAR READER: Thank you for including your lab results because they tell the story. Your kidneys do not appear to be functioning properly. As a result, they are not excreting as much potassium as they should. Your blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is quite high at 60. It should be below 20. Finally creatinine is also high (2.1). It should be under 1.0.

Hypertension and, especially, diabetes, can also cause kidney disease. It may also be secondary to one of the medications you are taking. I recommend that you be examined by a kidney specialist (nephrologist) who can test you further. He or she can suggest treatment options for you.

Good luck and let me know the results.