What Cancers Cause Low Potassium
When many people think of their overall health, they may consider cholesterol levels, blood pressure, or kidney function. However, potassium, which is both an electrolyte and a mineral, is rarely given attention. Many people don’t realize that potassium is involved in a wide variety of bodily processes essential for your well-being. For example, the vital nutrient plays not only a crucial role in electrical signaling and supporting proper nerve function, but it also contributes to the regulation of muscle contractions, and helps maintain normal blood pressure, kidney function, and pH levels.
Various factors, including certain cancers, can cause low potassium. This article explores how potassium impacts the body, what cancers cause low potassium, and how to safely raise potassium levels in cancer patients.
How Does Low Potassium Impact the Body
Low potassium (hypokalemia) affects many essential body functions and can therefore be detrimental to your health, especially in severe cases, which can be life-threatening. The symptoms of low potassium include:
Muscle weakness, cramps, and spasms
Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
Fatigue
Irregular heartbeat
Constipation
Mood changes
Increased urination
Breathing difficulties
Paralysis
Seizures
What Cancers Cause Low Potassium
The most common reasons for hypokalemia include diuretic use for high blood pressure or heart failure, vomiting, diarrhea, a poor diet, excessive sweating, and magnesium deficiency. While rare, certain cancers can cause low potassium, especially if the disease is advanced or causes complications.
Adrenal Tumors
Adrenal tumors are located on the adrenal gland above the kidneys and can contribute to very low potassium levels. When their function is disturbed, they may start producing too much aldosterone, a hormone that prompts the kidneys to remove potassium from the body.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
This cancer type is fast-growing and aggressive, and often increases cortisol production, which then decreases potassium in the body. When low potassium occurs because of small cell lung cancer, it’s often one of the first warning signs, even before the cancer diagnosis.
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Cancers affecting the colon, stomach, or pancreas are often linked to vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite, which can cause potassium deficiency over time.
Kidney Cancer
Since the kidney controls potassium levels, kidney cancer can lead to low potassium, especially when the disease is advanced or the tumor is large.
Leukemia and Lymphoma
These cancer types affect various bodily processes, including electrolyte balance, and can lead to low potassium levels. This especially applies once treatment has started, since this can break down cancer cells quickly, known as tumor lysis syndrome.
Finally, cancer treatments can contribute to low potassium levels. For example, many people feel nauseous during chemotherapy and experience vomiting and diarrhea. Other contributing factors may include the effects of some cancer medications on the kidneys, digestive disruption through radiation therapy, the use of steroids and diuretics, and poor appetite.
How to Raise Potassium Levels in Cancer Patients
Before you start addressing low potassium levels, identifying the cause of the deficiency is essential. If cancer is the reason for your symptoms, it should be treated as soon as possible. This also applies to related risk factors for low potassium, like frequent vomiting or diarrhea.
Additionally, depending on their individual needs, many cancer patients may benefit from oral potassium supplements, such as K-Dur and Klor-Con, proper hydration, and corrected magnesium levels to improve potassium absorption. For some, intravenous supplements or the adjustment of current medications may also be necessary.
Finally, increasing potassium in your diet by eating foods like bananas, potatoes, and yogurt while working closely with a dietitian or oncology team can help raise your potassium levels and improve related symptoms.
