High Potassium levels whilst taking Tofacitinib

For those taking tofacitinib, have you ever had a high potassium blood reading come back?  With thanks

 

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Permalink Reply by TC on April 30, 2019 at 7:35pm

Hi Diana, 

What do you consider high? What was your serum potassium before starting Tofacitinib?

Corticosteroids and NSAIDs are known caused elevated potassium. How is your kidney function?

Permalink Reply by Diana on May 1, 2019 at 4:45am

The most recent reading was 5.7 (reference range 3.5-5.2) and historically it's been around 4.2.  Urea was also a little elevated.

All other bloods are fine.

With many thanks TC for responding.

Permalink Reply by TC on May 1, 2019 at 10:24am

Potassium range can vary by lab, but generally 3.5-5.5. At 5.7 it's just slightly above, and most probably nothing to be concerned about, but it's good that you're keeping a close eye on your lab work.

Another thing that can cause an elevated potassium result is the actual blood draw. 

Sometimes the way a nurse/practitioner draws the blood causes a rupture of blood cells in the blood sample during or shortly after the blood draw. The ruptured cells leak their potassium into the sample. This falsely raises the amount of potassium in the blood sample, even though the potassium level in your body is actually normal. Check if your results mention a Hemolysis Index which measures the ruptured blood cells. This happened to me about 2 years ago. Retested 4 weeks later...and all was perfect. 

I would ask your doc to retest in a few weeks/month. In the meantime, drink lots of water at least 8 glasses/day to help your kidneys clear the meds (and excess potassium) out of your system. Dehydration is another cause of elevated potassium. We tend not to drink enough water, and it's especially important when on meds like Tofacitinib. Avoid alcohol, soda...

Good luck and let us know how things go :) 

  

Permalink Reply by TC on May 1, 2019 at 5:55pm

Diana, 

Sorry I meant to ask you how your creatinine (CK) levels are?

This should give you a good how well or not your kidneys are handling Tofacitinib.

Permalink Reply by Diana on May 1, 2019 at 7:49pm

I was aware of the rapture of the bloods and thought that as well and had another blood test…came back with the same result.  It was the same nurse that took it and will be going back next week to another pathology centre. 

Have increased water intake and the creatinine levels were good at 54 the range being (30-80) – the levels have always been within range.   

I’ll keep you posted after the next blood test.  Big cheers for your speedy and thorough reply.  Much appreciated.

Permalink Reply by Diana on June 2, 2019 at 9:01pm

Thanks again TC for your detailed response - potassium levels all came back within range and at least 8 glasses of water is being drank a day.  

Permalink Reply by TC on June 3, 2019 at 11:10am

That's great news Diana. Glad you're doing well. 

Thanks for taking the time to post an update. It's helpful for others in similar circumstances. Keep well :)

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