Increased serum potassium is known as hyperkalemia. Potassium is essential in the body for muscle control to regulate heartbeat and breathing. The potassium that is not used by the body is excreted by the kidney. When the kidney functioning is not normal, potassium is not excreted, and this causes a rise in serum potassium. Symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, etc.
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Can my elevated potassium lead to nausea and numbness?
Query: Hello doctor, My potassium is 5.5. Is that high because I am nauseated a lot, 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 past few months. Cancer too runs in my family. Read Full »
Answer: 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, but as your query suggested you are feeling the irregular heartbeat, I would suggest you get an ECG (EKG) done ... Read Full »