High Potassium levels

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Just had a physical and got a general blood test done. Potassium levels came up very high and doctor said this was a problem. It could potentially lead to an irregular heartbeat. He suspected it could be from an inflamed, enlarged kidney but didn't think so. Instead, he said their were probably two factors responsible: really high potasium intake from eating bananas taking a daily multi-vitamin and drinking cytomax while I ride, and, mostly, working out so hard on a regular basis while I train and race. Something to do with constantly tearing and rehealing the muscles.
Just wondering: does anyone else here know if they also have high potassium levels in their blood? If my doctor is correct about the probable causes wouldn't that mean that a huge percentage of arobic athletes face the same risk? Just curious. Your response is appreciated.

How high? The most likely reason for high K in blood tests is one of old blood specimen (long delay b/n collection and analysis) or cell damage during blood collection (too fine a needle with excessive aspiration and other technical issues). If the creatinine and urea are normal, the high K is most likely to be meaningless.

How high? The most likely reason for high K in blood tests is one of old blood specimen (long delay b/n collection and analysis) or cell damage during blood collection (too fine a needle with excessive aspiration and other technical issues). If the creatinine and urea are normal, the high K is most likely to be meaningless.
thanks for the response. potassium level was at 5.4. initially they suspected a bad test so they ran another and the same result came up. what does working out have to do with my potassium levels anyway? thanks...

any other thoughts? is anyone a nutritionist or sports medicine person around here?

Try placing this thread in the 'Health Nutrition and Supplements.'

I'd be taking another potassium level if I were your doc. An isolated elevated potassium is meaningless. (especially if your urea and creatinine are normal)

BTW, 5.4 is not "very high", it is slightly elevated (the upper limit of normal is 5.0).

Did you train particularly hard before the blood was taken? Muscle damage could explain the increase. As for potassium intake, you would need to calculate how much potassium is in your Cytomax drinks based on how you make them up and how much is in the multivitamins - it would need to be pretty high intake to put your potassium levels up.