How Much Potassium Should A Person with Kidney Disease Have A Day

People with kidney disease should pay attention to the intake of various minerals, such as sodium, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Because these minerals play an important role in maintaining the normal function of body. Besides, since the damaged kidneys can not balance electrolytes in the blood, you should regulate their intake via diet. How much potassium should a person with kidney disease have a day?

Potassium is an element that can counteract the effect of sodium to relieve water retention and low blood pressure. How much potassium kidney patient should have depends on their potassium lab results. The normal potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L.

If you take certain medications such as ACEI or potassium-sparing diuretic, you should consult your doctor for specific guidance about potassium. Generally speaking, if you are in CKD stage 1-3, your potassium level is normal and you are not taking medications that make your body retain potassium, you do not need to follow a low potassium diet. If you are in stage 4 and 5 when kidney function declines so that less potassium is removed, a low potassium diet is advised. If you are on hemodialysis, you should also restrict your potassium intake, but if you have peritoneal dialysis, high potassium diet should be followed. A low potassium diet is generally 2000 mg a day.

High potassium level can cause muscle weakness, slow heart rate, abnormal heart rhythm and so on, while low potassium level can cause muscle cramp, tingling, nausea, low blood pressure, etc. Therefore, you had better regulate your potassium level as early as possible.

Treatment is also important for treating your kidney disease. When your kidney disease is controlled, there is few diet restriction. If you want to acquire an individualized diet plan or treatment plan, please leave the basic information about your medical condition in the below or send emails to kidneycares@hotmail.com. Our doctors will contact you later.