Does potassium deficiency cause loss of appetite?


Sharing is Caring


Common symptoms of hypokalemia and/or potassium deficiency are reviewed as well, such as general and unspecific symptoms (e.g. tiredness, lack of concentration, lack of appetite and vomiting), and symptoms from the heart, kidneys and skeletal muscle.

How does anorexia affect potassium?

Inpatients with anorexia nervosa presumably have a higher risk of developing hypokalemia because they suffer from severe malnutrition and are refed [21], in which the insulin surge resulting from glycemia during the refeeding process causes a substantial intracellular uptake of potassium and phosphorus [20].

Does anorexia cause low potassium?

The most frequent electrolyte imbalances seen in anorexia are hyponatremia (a low concentration of sodium ions in the bloodstream) and hypokalemia (a low concentration of potassium ions).

Why is potassium levels important?

You need potassium to keep your muscles, nerves and heart working well. You also need potassium for a healthy digestive system and bone health. Low levels of potassium can affect these important functions in your body.

Do people with eating disorders have low potassium?

Low potassium in the blood is the most common electrolyte problem observed in serious eating disorders, especially among patients who purge and/or abuse laxatives or diuretics as these purging behaviors waste fluid and key electrolytes from the body.

Is hyperkalemia associated with anorexia nervosa?

In an adolescent with anorexia nervosa, recurrent hyperkalemia was caused by obsessive eating of up to 20 bananas per day. In another case, a patient with schizophrenia and psychogenic polydipsia was water-restricted but developed hyperkalemia because she replaced water with excessive consumption of orange juice.

Why is potassium low in bulimia?

First, and most obvious, there is loss of potassium in the purged gastric contents, excessive stool from laxative abuse, or in the urine through diuretic abuse. Second, chronic purging results in intravascular fluid depletion.

What makes your potassium low?

Low potassium (hypokalemia) has many causes. The most common cause is excessive potassium loss in urine due to prescription medications that increase urination. Also known as water pills or diuretics, these types of medications are often prescribed for people who have high blood pressure or heart disease.

Which hormone levels is increased in anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa in both adolescents and adults is a state of acquired growth hormone (GH) resistance secondary to chronic nutritional deprivation and is characterized by increased GH secretion but decreased systemic insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)28,29 (FIG. 1).

What problems can low potassium cause?

Common signs and symptoms of potassium deficiency include weakness and fatigue, muscle cramps, muscle aches and stiffness, tingles and numbness, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, digestive symptoms, and changes in blood pressure. If you think you’re deficient, contact a healthcare professional.

What are the signs of potassium deficiency?

  • Constipation.
  • Feeling of skipped heart beats or palpitations.
  • Fatigue.
  • Muscle damage.
  • Muscle weakness or spasms.
  • Tingling or numbness.

Does low potassium cause fatigue?

Fatigue. Potassium is an essential nutrient that is present in all of the body’s cells and tissues. The effects of low potassium levels can, therefore, extend to a wide range of bodily functions. One of the noticeable effects of this is low energy levels, which can be accompanied by physical and mental fatigue too.

What happens if you have too little potassium?

Getting too little potassium can increase blood pressure, deplete calcium in bones, and increase the risk of kidney stones. Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, laxative abuse, diuretic use, eating clay, heavy sweating, dialysis, or using certain medications can cause severe potassium deficiency.

Is potassium good for weight loss?

Along with its numerous aforementioned benefits, experts also say that potassium could play an active role in aiding weight loss. According to a study by researchers from Tel Aviv University, subjects who actually increased their potassium intake had a larger mean decrease in BMI.

Who is at risk for potassium deficiency?

Hypokalemia is more common in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and gastrointestinal illnesses that cause severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting. Certain medications, such as laxatives and diuretics, can also increase the risk of potassium deficiency.

Why does anorexia cause hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia can also be seen in severe restrictive eating disorders due to decreased ability of the kidney to excrete free water as a result of low nutritional intake. Without enough food or solutes, even a fairly normal amount of water intake can lead to hyponatremia if the body retains too much of it.

What is low potassium called?

Low potassium (hypokalemia) refers to a lower than normal potassium level in your bloodstream. Potassium helps carry electrical signals to cells in your body.

What is the primary characteristic of anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia (an-o-REK-see-uh) nervosa โ€” often simply called anorexia โ€” is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight.

Why do electrolytes drop in refeeding syndrome?

When you begin refeeding, your cells demand these electrolytes to metabolize the food. This causes a severe shift in your body chemistry. The electrolytes you have move rapidly from your blood into your cells. But because you don’t have enough, this shift leaves low levels of them in your blood.

What happens when your body is low on electrolytes?

A level under three can cause muscle weakness, spasms, cramps, paralysis and respiratory problems. If it continues, kidney problems may occur.

What electrolytes are affected in refeeding syndrome?

Refeeding syndrome involves metabolic abnormalities when a malnourished person begins feeding, after a period of starvation or limited intake. In a starved body, there is a breakdown of fat and muscle, which leads to losses in some electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and phosphate.

Can bulimia cause high potassium levels?

Electrolyte imbalances are typically common in those with bulimia. Up to 49% of individuals with severe symptomatology of bulimia have imbalances such as sodium and potassium [1]. Those who purge are also at risk for hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and hypochloremia.

Which medical complication is possible with the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa?

Anorexia nervosa is associated with numerous general medical complications that are directly attributable to weight loss and malnutrition [1,2]. The complications affect most major organ systems and often include physiologic disturbances such as hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, and amenorrhea.

Can anorexia cause low glucose?

Food restriction and excessive exercise enacted during anorexia leads to the depletion of glycogen (a form of energy storage), resulting in abnormal glucose metabolism and hypoglycemia (very low levels of blood sugar) (Mayo Clinic, 2018).

Does potassium help thyroid?

Your body uses potassium to facilitate the proper function of nerve and muscle cells. Low potassium is associated with high levels of thyroid hormones. Treating low potassium caused by excess thyroid hormones involves lowering thyroid hormone level.

Craving More Content?

Eating Disorder Resources