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  benbravery
  Healthshare Member

  Hi Finni,
  
  
  
  A doctor will be able to answer this question more fully, but I can share my experience with shifting potassium (K) levels. As bowel cancer patients that have undergone colonic resections we need to be mindful of the salt balance in our bodies. The main salts of interest are sodium and potassium. These two are necessary for countless processes throughout the body.
  
  
  
  Depending on how much of your Mum's colon was removed and what her situation is now (colostomy? illeostomy?) her colon may be behaving differently than before the surgery. This means the way it absorbs fluid and salts (it's main job) may have changed.
  
  
  
  After my surgery my illeostomy did not adapt quickly. This meant I was losing about 2.5 L of fluid from the small intestine every day. Mixed in with this fluid would be lots of sodium and potassium - salts that my body needed but was not reabsorbing in the small intestine (it was upset) or colon (it was being bypassed). The doctors put me on a slow release potassium supplement that I took daily and I also began consuming a couple of bottles of sports drink each day until the small intestine stabilized.
  
  
  
  I was told to eat a packet of chips per day to get the sodium I needed (I instead have a bowl of Miso soup) and to eat a banana each day to get potassium. My multivitamin also has potassium in it. If it is a hot day or I do some exercise I always have a glass or two of sports drink just to be on the safe side.
  
  
  
  This may help to understand why your Mum's K levels are low sometimes, I hope someone else can help explain why they are sometimes high.
  
  
  
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• • 

    benbravery
    Healthshare Member

    Hi Finni,
    
    
    
    I did a search for ‘potassium’ on the Colon Club's website and found a bunch of discussions. You may want to have a look. Here is one on bananas and potassium:
    
    
    
    http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17298&p=134719&hilit=potassium+levels#p134719
    
    
    
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• 

  Bowel Cancer Australia
  Health Consumer Organisation

  Bowel Cancer Australia works to reduce the impact of bowel cancer in our society through awareness, education, support and research. We aim to help save ... View profile

  Hi Finni,
  
  
  
  Thanks very much for your post and question about potassium levels. (Thanks also Ben, for your added comments)
  
  
  
  Our nutritionist advisor will be in touch shortly with a response.
  
  
  
  In the meantime, you may be interested in having a read through the information on the Diet and Bowel Cancer page on the Bowel Cancer Australia website, including our Diet & Nutrition: Your Recipe For Recovery booklet.
  
  
  
  Kind Regards,
  
  
  
  The team at Bowel Cancer Australia
  
  
  
  Please Note: Bowel Cancer Australia's Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory services are subject to the following disclaimer. Reply to this post  |  Report
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  Bowel Cancer Australia
  Health Consumer Organisation

  Bowel Cancer Australia works to reduce the impact of bowel cancer in our society through awareness, education, support and research. We aim to help save ... View profile

  Hi Finni,
  
  
  
  Potassium levels are dependant on fluid loss. The levels are more often down than up.
  
  
  
  If they are up it is usually due to overcompensation with supplementation, or the effects of some drugs, chemotherapy and the destruction of tumors or kidney condition.
  
  
  
  There are a number of supplements that may be prescribed by a GP that help regulate potassium, or self medicated electrolyte fluids.
  
  
  
  This can be a problem if they are not monitored therefore it is important to check with a GP to check the levels.
  
  
  
  For further information on Diet/Nutrition and bowel cancer please visit the Diet and Bowel Cancer page on the Bowel Cancer Australia website, in particular our Diet & Nutrition: Your Recipe For Recovery booklet, as well as the Healthier Eating and Living with Cancer booklets on the Patient Information page.
  
  
  
  Kind Regards,
  
  
  
  Teresa
  
  Bowel Cancer Australia Nutritionist Advisor
  
  
  
  Please Note: Bowel Cancer Australia's Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory services are subject to the following disclaimer. Reply to this post  |  Report
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