Have You Learned About Cushing's At a Health Fair?

I cannot imagine this myself, since Cushing's is so hard to diagnose but an article at yourdailyjournal.com claims: 

The blood profiles provide a comprehensive look at several physiological systems in the body at a cost that is very reasonable for the patients, all in one panel,” Laboratory Manager Rhonda Outlaw said. “The cost savings would amount to anywhere from $185 to $1,100, depending on the tests done and whether they were drawn at a physician’s office or on an outpatient basis.

 

“The panel itself will give indication of possible problems with kidney functions, hematological functions, like anemia, platelet function and infection; cardiovascular disease, thyroid functions, diabetes detection, liver functions and electrolyte function, like Cushings Syndrome, potassium regulation and dehydration detection.”

What do you think about this?

 

 

What causes a high potassium count?

Q: How does one get a very high potassium count, and how do you lower it?

A:

Living Well Expert Dr. Jennifer Shu Pediatrician,
Children's Medical Group

Expert answer

Having a high potassium level -- called hyperkalemia -- can be caused by poor kidney function resulting from conditions including renal failure, lupus, glomerulonephritis (an inflammation of the structures within the kidneys) or the effects of certain medications, such as some diuretics and medicines that lower blood pressure.

A diet that is high in potassium may also be the cause, although if a person's kidneys are working properly, the extra potassium is usually removed from the body through the urine. Items rich in potassium include bananas, salt substitutes and potassium supplements.

Lack of a hormone called aldosterone can also cause high potassium in the body. A disorder called Addison's disease is one example of this situation.

In addition, significant tissue breakdown from burns or trauma may release potassium from the cells of the body into the bloodstream.

The treatment of hyperkalemia depends in part of the severity of a person's symptoms and the cause of the condition. In many instances, there are no symptoms, and lowering the level may consist of avoiding excessive potassium intake, using a potassium-binding medication and treating any associated kidney problems.

Severe hyperkalemia can cause an abnormal heart rhythm, paralysis or irregular breathing patterns and may require aggressive intravenous medications to lower the potassium in the body quickly.

Sometimes, a high potassium count is the result of falsely elevated laboratory test, most frequently due to the rupture of red blood cells (called hemolysis) in the test sample either during or immediately after taking the blood. Hemolysis may occur due to rough handling during the blood draw or of the tube of blood before it is analyzed and does not accurately reflect the level of potassium in the body. Simply repeating the blood draw will most likely show a normal result.

From http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/expert.q.a/06/08/potassium.hyperkalemia.shu/

Addison's Alerts, May 18, 2009

Addison's disease | Stay Healthy And Fit
By Healthy And Fit
Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism or hypocorticism) is a rare endocrine disorder in which the adrenal gland produces insufficient amounts of steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and often ...
Stay Healthy And Fit - http://www.stay-healthy-and-fit.com/

 

Potassium
By admin
You should not use potassium citrate if you have kidney failure, a urinary tract infection, uncontrolled diabetes, a peptic ulcer in your stomach, Addison's disease, severe burns or other tissue injury, if you are dehydrated, ...
Pharmacevtik Blog - http://pharmacevtik.com/