Treatment for high potassium level connected to cause

DEAR DR. GOTT: Can you please address high potassium levels? My husband’s level went from 4.6 in 2008 to 5.6 in 2009. Other than food that is high in potassium, what could cause the level to jump? Should he be on a restricted diet? Can exercise bring it down?

His physical this year did show his total cholesterol level rose, mainly his LDL to 143, HDL to 77 and triglycerides to 115. His blood pressure is normal.

We would welcome any advice, as this is all new to us. I did search the Internet but was unable to find an answer.

DEAR READER: Potassium is important for the function of nerve and muscle cells. Common causes of elevated levels (known as hyperkalemia) are acute or chronic kidney failure. A normal blood-potassium level is between 3.6 and 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, known as mEq/L. Levels above 6.0 can be the result of type 1 diabetes; Addison’s disease; angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; alcoholism; heavy drug use; severe injury, such as burns, that cause destruction of red blood cells; and potassium supplements.
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High potassium a concern?

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.
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