Can high potassium level cause nauseous and numbness feeling?

Question

Hello doctor,

My potassium is 5.5. Is that high because I am nauseated a lot, and my hands and feet get tingly or go numb a lot? I am tired a lot and my heartbeat feels irregular a lot, plus I have had diarrhea or very thin stool for the past few months. Cancer also runs in my family.

Please guide.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, serum potassium of 5.5 mEq is a bit high. The usual range of serum potassium is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L. Although 5.5 mEq/L is not that high to produce symptoms, as your query suggested, you are feeling the irregular heartbeat, I would suggest you get an ECG (EKG) done as soon as possible. You might need medications to control the hyperkalemia (increased potassium). Regarding the history of cancers in your family, I cannot comment on whether the hyperkalemia develops due to it or not.

I hope this answers your query.

Feel free to reach out anytime.

Thank you.