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I have been in remission a little over one year. I currently take 12.5mg of methotrexate once a week. I currently get lab work every 6 weeks. My most recent labs show a very high level of potassium. Can Methorexate cause high levels of potassium? I also take a prescription for folic acid. Can that affect potassium levels? I guess I'm looking for a cause that doesn't have to do with my kidneys (kidneys were not involved before).
Hi liltle sister. Here's a link to the side effects of mtx: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3441/methotrexate-anti-rheumatic-oral/details#side-effects
Folic acid is given to combat hair loss - another side effect of mtx. While many docs also prescribe folic acid along with mtx, you can also buy it OTC. That shouldn't be causing your elevated potassium. I'm guessing that you take 1 mg/day of folic acid. You get about 40% of that amount in your normal diet - especially if you eat alot of green vegetables. A boost of 1 mg of folic acid shouldn't cause problems. However, since you don't see MD after my name, please call your doctor and discuss.
My body produces too much potassium. I have known this, well before I ever heard about WG
Because of this and WG, I take blood pressure tablets, which protect my kidneys. If I have additional potassium, my kidneys could be at risk.
I also take 20mg Methotrexate and folic acid weekly. They would not give me this, if these two meds caused increased potassium levels.
Do you have high blood pressure?
I would see what your specialist says about the potassium increase.
Maybe you had a meal rich in potassium (leafy green vegetables, fish, avocado, potatoes, etc) the night before your most recent blood test.
I hope you get some answers quickly