Elevated Serum K+ during Antibiotic Treatment?

scorpio1960

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2009

Posts : 914

Posted 5/1/2009 5:48 PM (GMT -7)

I was just made aware that the blood work done yesterday indicated elevated K+ (6.4) and needs to be repeated on Monday. Does anyone know what this means? Is this serious? Will I need to stop treatment?

I'm on IV Rocephin, Mepron, Mino and Zithro.

dorit

Regular Member

Joined : Nov 2008

Posts : 375

Posted 5/1/2009 6:23 PM (GMT -7)

scopio1960 -

I think this is elevated potassium, I had this once b/c the blood sample was not stored (or whatever else) correctely before testing; with the next test mine was ok. As far as I know elevated K can happen with problems of adrenal gland, but maybe you can ask your doc on Monday?
I have a friend who was on a very aggressive acne med (no abx) and she always had elevated liver and elevated Na/ K levels; they monitored it but she kept taking the med.

Hope it will turn out to be a lab mistake!! greetings, dorit

scorpio1960

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2009

Posts : 914

Posted 5/1/2009 7:22 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks Dorit. I sure hope this is the case and I will not have to stop treatment, especially sine I just started. I didn't receive the info until this evening after my doctor was gone but plan on calling him first thing Monday morning.

Dowa

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2008

Posts : 1120

Posted 5/2/2009 3:57 PM (GMT -7)

Elevated potassium usually indicates problems with the kidneys. Its good they are re-testing. D

scorpio1960

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2009

Posts : 914

Posted 5/3/2009 7:14 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks Dowa. The nurse will be here again tomorrow to draw more blood. I just hope I will not have to stop any of the meds.

spaztick

Veteran Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 851

Posted 5/3/2009 10:10 PM (GMT -7)

I have read that the normal potassium range is between 3 to 5 Emq/L, so it sounds like your potassium level is only mildly elevated. Apparently, it can be caused by certain antiobiotics or NSAIDS. That's best case scenario. An extremely high level is a medical emergency, because it can affect the rhythm of the heart.

Make sure to tell your doctor if you are having heart palpitations and/or muscle weakness. And please keep us updated!

Take good care!

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