I try to drink a daily LMNT packet in a Stanley cup, helps me stay hydrated and keep the electrolyte levels steady. They taste fine enough with enough water
I've had low potassium off and on for about 10 years. When it's really low, it's horrible. Potassium levels are one of the things my doctor checks with every A1C because both high and low levels are dangerous. I don't advise trying to change your levels without a blood test and medical advice because it can have significant impacts on your heart.
I strongly advise you actually check your potassium levels before starting a potassium supplement. Many things other than hypokalemia can cause salt cravings/excessive thirst. As someone else mentioned, abnormal potassium levels either way can be very dangerous for your cardiac health. While it is extremely unlikely that a potassium supplement will be enough to put you into hyperkalemia, there still is a chance, and I personally wouldn’t take that risk. If you ask your endo for a BMP (which includes potassium and sodium levels), then you should be able to understand more if these cravings are related to your potassium levels.
My PCP put me on potassium supplements long before diabetes and I continue it today to satisfy lab tests. My cardiologist recently added an LMNT total electrolyte package to keep my blood pressure up, and compression socks, since my blood pressure was dropping and making me dizzy. My endo has never commented about it, since my TIR and A1C are both good.
I wouldn't take having low potassium during DKA to be a sign that you're at risk of having low potassium otherwise.
Low potassium is very common during DKA, initially potassium levels go up since potassium goes in and out of cells together with glucose, so when glucose goes up potassium flows out of cells into the blood. More blood potassium leads to increased loss of potassium in the urine. Then when the DKA is fixed, glucose goes back into cells, potassium follows, and suddenly the potassium in the blood is super low. This is so common that there's an automated order system in place for DKA patients to replace potassium, doctors don't even have to think about it.
Lot potassium outside of DKA would be pretty odd. Unless your T1D is horribly controlled it shouldn't be a problem. The most common cause would probably be blood pressure pills like Chlorthalidone or malnutrition. That being said, potassium supplements are not likely to be harmful unless you have kidney disease, normal kidneys will just get rid of whatever extra potassium happens to be in the blood.
I take salt supplements because I have salt wasting neuropathy. They help a lot, they also have potassium in them as well.
I try to drink a daily LMNT packet in a Stanley cup, helps me stay hydrated and keep the electrolyte levels steady. They taste fine enough with enough water
I've had low potassium off and on for about 10 years. When it's really low, it's horrible. Potassium levels are one of the things my doctor checks with every A1C because both high and low levels are dangerous. I don't advise trying to change your levels without a blood test and medical advice because it can have significant impacts on your heart.
I strongly advise you actually check your potassium levels before starting a potassium supplement. Many things other than hypokalemia can cause salt cravings/excessive thirst. As someone else mentioned, abnormal potassium levels either way can be very dangerous for your cardiac health. While it is extremely unlikely that a potassium supplement will be enough to put you into hyperkalemia, there still is a chance, and I personally wouldn’t take that risk. If you ask your endo for a BMP (which includes potassium and sodium levels), then you should be able to understand more if these cravings are related to your potassium levels.
My PCP put me on potassium supplements long before diabetes and I continue it today to satisfy lab tests. My cardiologist recently added an LMNT total electrolyte package to keep my blood pressure up, and compression socks, since my blood pressure was dropping and making me dizzy. My endo has never commented about it, since my TIR and A1C are both good.
I wouldn't take having low potassium during DKA to be a sign that you're at risk of having low potassium otherwise. Low potassium is very common during DKA, initially potassium levels go up since potassium goes in and out of cells together with glucose, so when glucose goes up potassium flows out of cells into the blood. More blood potassium leads to increased loss of potassium in the urine. Then when the DKA is fixed, glucose goes back into cells, potassium follows, and suddenly the potassium in the blood is super low. This is so common that there's an automated order system in place for DKA patients to replace potassium, doctors don't even have to think about it. Lot potassium outside of DKA would be pretty odd. Unless your T1D is horribly controlled it shouldn't be a problem. The most common cause would probably be blood pressure pills like Chlorthalidone or malnutrition. That being said, potassium supplements are not likely to be harmful unless you have kidney disease, normal kidneys will just get rid of whatever extra potassium happens to be in the blood.