Low Potassium?

[Brenda2010]

Hi everyone... I'm 12 weeks post RNY. Received a call from the nurse at my surgeon's office yesterday with my blood workup from Tuesday. She said my potassium is low (about a 3, she said it should be between 3.5 - 5). Have any of you had this come up? She asked if I've had muscle cramps (no). I did some research online after the call and it looks like fatigue is also a symptom. That is something I've battled off and on since surgery so I can't specifically say it's a direct symptom of low potassium.

The nurse suggested eating 2 bananas a day but that scares me because of the sugar and carbs. I've been taking the chewable Bariatric Fusion supplements 4x a day but when reading the label, I don't even see potassium on there. These were the supplements my surgeon and nutritionist had recommended. Does anyone take a potassium supplement?

 

[Brenda2010]

I have taken potassium supplements in the past for various reasons. A lot of medicine and other substances that go into your body can cause potassium deficiency. You do need a supplement or you need to eat enough bananas and make it happen. But I think you're going to like to supplement a lot better, although I remember mine being a powder I put in water and it is very salty unpleasant. I don't take supplement anymore because I love bananas and I try to eat one every day.

Thanks for the response Diane. As we're all advised, I'm following a high protein, very low carb diet. I wasn't striving to get into ketosis, but it's entirely likely that I am. I was doing more research this evening and the top three mineral deficiencies on a keto diet are potassium, sodium and magnesium. Go figure. I see the RN on Friday for my 3 month followup so I'll talk to her about supplements. Until then, I'll make like a monkey and have a banana party.