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In hypokalemia, what is the lowest survivable potassium level?
I have potassium wasting renal tubular acidosis secondary to Sjogren's Syndrome. I have had extremely low potassium levels, falling well below 2.0. I am curious to know how low it can go and still be survivable.
The lowest level I have had, and this was asymptomatic, was 1.6. I happened to be hospitalized for something else when it was caught, and have no idea how long it was that low. Other times, I have had muscle spasms, and heart arythmias.
Wow, Lee. When I was at 1.6, the doctor just told me that "your potassium levels aren't optimal for surgery, so we will be giving you I.V. supplements." It wasn't until 2 months later that I was told how low it was, and that I was lucky to be alive. It was a different doctor who wasn't aware of the surrounding circumstances.
7 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
I had 1.9 potassium level and the dr told me that only 15% survive with levels that low. I was paralyzed and in ICU.
- 7 years ago
I used a body building supplement called Creatine Monohydrate in the late 90's . It mimics pottasium in that it causes your cells to uptake water. After 3 months on this product I passed out in a hotel lobby while attending a seminar with my husband. I was rushed to the hospital and was found to have a potassium level of 1.2 doctors said I was lucky to be alive. I was IV'd for 12 hours, it took 3 phlebotomists to tap a vein. I have had to take 120meq potassium chloride every day since. My health has begun to deteriorate as of late, my potassium is staying too low and I have had several silent strokes.
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- TrackerLv 51 decade ago
It's not so much being able to live without potassium... certain structures (especially the heart) rely on the sodium/potassium pump to work properly. If you've had Sjogren's for awhile, your body probably adapted to having relative hypokalemia, but once you start dropping below 3.0, you're at MAJOR risk for cardiac arrhythmias, which is what would potentially kill you.
Source(s): I'm an ER nurse. - Ankhesan AmunLv 61 decade ago
I don't have any info on how long you could live with a level that low. The normal range for serum potassium is pretty narrow to begin with...3.5 to 5 mEq/L, so even a 2.0 is quite a drop.
I wouldn't think that you could go for long with a number like that. My best guess wouldn't even give you 12 hours.
- 5 years ago
i had 1.6 cant walk advice me to take k lyte 6 x a day and inject me a potassium then next day its 3.2 magic but still low
