Elevated Serum K+ during Antibiotic Treatment?

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? 

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

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.

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

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. 

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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_{*Abx combo tx since Jan/08*
Lyme disease - clinical dx ’08; Babesiosis (Positive IgM/IgG) '08;
GERD '04; Essential Tremor ’03; Fibromyalgia ’01; Osteoarthritis; Depression; IBS; Interstitial Cystitis}