Community Forum

Have a question, or want to share your own tips and experiences? Join the discussion in the community forum. You must be registered to participate. Our forums are moderated by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation staff to facilitate a safe environment.

Colitis and low potassium

Thu, March 18, 2010 4:03 PM

Hi.

I have my bloodwork done every 3 months, and this time my potassium was low (3.2, whereas normal is 3.5-5.0). I was told to increase my intake of potassium rich food. Ok, fine. HOwever, after looking at the list of potassium rich food, there seems to be very little I can tolerate. I absolutely hate bananas and canteloupe (have my entire life). This leaves me with strawberries (which I love, but my intestine don't), leafy greens (I can only do salad in small amouts. Again, I love it, it just doesn't love me). I see spinach and potatoes on there ... guess I'll live on that. Anyone have experience with this ? How much should I eat to increase my levels ?

Thanks, Alicia

aliciam
Joined Apr 21, 2009

Thu, April 01, 2010 11:17 PM

Reply posted for aliciam.

Alicia:

If you like orange juice, you'll find that the potassium in OJ is higher than in a banana. The label on my diuretic says either a banana or orangejuice.

Good Luck, Marilyn

marilynaz
Joined Jun 4, 2008

Wed, March 24, 2010 12:00 AM

Reply posted for aliciam.

My doc just went ahead and put me on potassium supplements. I am absorbing those fine and don't have to worry about finding foods that I can tolerate. Maybe this would be an option for you. I am taking Micro K though because the regular potassium were much too large for me to swallow. Hopefully you find a solution.

ngonzo
Joined Feb 20, 2010

Thu, March 18, 2010 7:10 PM

Reply posted for aliciam.

Many salt substitutes contain potassium chloride and can be used in moderation, provided you don't have kidney problems or some heart problems. You don't need much.

It's important to take in enough fluids too. A little bit can go a long way. You also may enjoy a "shake" of something high in potassium that you don't normally eat. I'd stay away from prepared shakes, though. I sometimes make a shake using 100% lactose reduced non fat milk because I have a fair amount of lactose intolerance.

titan1
Joined Sep 1, 2008

Related Topics

IBD and trauma

Janeliza
Joined Apr 13, 2022

Hi all! I've had Crohn's since 2014 with m....

read more

Life Insurance?

Aperson1
Joined Dec 2, 2022

40 y.o. male looking to get life insurance. ....

read more

IBD and exercise/sport

JS25
Joined Aug 14, 2023

This is my first post. I am 28 and I was diagnosed....

read more

Welcome to the Crohn's & Colitis Community!

This website is associated with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.

Please read our Top 12 Rules before posting messages and sharing stories. Always be courteous and sensitive to others!

Intended audience. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Online Community is intended for patients and their caregivers, family and friends. The Community is not intended for industry representatives or advertisers and these individuals are not permitted to participate on the site.

Meet the Crohn's & Colitis Community! Browse our site to see what our community is talking about and find issues important to you.

Join in and share your stories. After you feel comfortable with our site, register to share your thoughts on a regular basis.

Stay secure. Remember that our site can be viewed by anyone on the Internet. With the exception of our registration and personal pages, search engines are available within this site. To guard your privacy, follow these simple rules: do not share your address, phone number, details about your family, or anything else you would feel uncomfortable with others reading. If you post your personal email, be aware that you may receive spam e-mail from spammers who gather addresses off of the web.

Read and react to posts with care. If you don’t agree or are offended by someone’s post, take a step back and think before you reply. Since we can’t talk in-person to each other, we must recognize that we may be misunderstanding stories or posts. Please be sensitive to others’ feelings and ask for clarification before acting out.

Search before starting new topics. To keep our message boards easy to use, please use the search bar to locate topics of interest before starting a new thread. If you start a new thread, please use obvious subject headings and words that will catch the attention of others. Topics will be archived after 21 days of inactivity. To view past topics and posts, click on archive topics within each of the forums.

Stick to our guidelines. To keep this site safe for everyone, please do not post: doctors' names, treatment facility names and treatment specifics, contact information for others without their consent, links to websites with uncertain content or advertisements, requests for fundraising, items for sale, requests for study, survey and/or questionnaire participation or provocative information.

Sharing photos. Please use good taste and appropriate images when adding photos to your profile or personal stories. Photos should be in .jpg format.

Not following the rules? Crohn's & Colitis Community moderators routinely scan the message boards and will delete tasteless posts. If you post inappropriate messages or pictures or use offensive language in a post on multiple occasions, you will be notified via email and your account will be inactivated.

Report foul play. Help the Crohn's & Colitis Community moderators by reporting anyone that posts inappropriate messages or pictures by clicking the 'Report Abuse' button under the message or emailing ccfacommunity@ccfa.org.

Questions or concerns? Please feel free to email us at ccfacommunity@ccfa.org with any questions or concerns. We want you to feel comfortable here.

Terms & Conditions. By posting your story, questions, concerns and other information on the Community, you grant the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation or its authorized agent permission to publish, reproduce, record and use your stories as Crohn's & Colitis Community or the authorized agent sees fit in any medium or forum in a manner which helps to further the Crohn's & Colitis Community mission. You agree to release and hold harmless Crohn's & Colitis Community from any and all liability by any third party that may arise from the release of information to any third party or by any third party and agree that all text and other content made by you, for you or the person for whom you are the parent/guardian, shall be the exclusive property of Crohn's & Colitis Community. The Crohn's & Colitis Community cannot verify every claim made by a third party contributor to our Community and is not responsible for the authenticity of information posted.

Thank you! The Crohn's & Colitis Community is successful because of members like you!

Thanks!
The Crohn's & Colitis Community Team

*Any postings on the Crohn's & Colitis Community site should not replace your physician's advice. Always check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health.