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Dear Peadar I've seen similar cases which have usually involved refrigeration or potassium/ EDTA contamination; and also an occasional 'leaky high platelets' case. However in view of the information from the GP, one thing I've been concerned about is that I've noticed that many supermarkets now sell 'low sodium salt' - this is potassium chloride rather than sodium chloride. Best wishes Gordon Challand ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peadar McGing" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 1:25 PM Subject: query spurious high potassium Dear colleagues, I know this is a topic aired many times and I've written about it myself but I am currently dealing with a case that doesn't quite fit the bill and I wonder if anyone can offer some advice. The case is of a woman in her 50s who had blood taken by her GP and sent via the normal courier system to the lab. Patient was asymptomatic. Sample was sent in on the 8th and repeated on the 9th. Because of the high K which was phoned by the lab, the GP sent her in to AE which she attended the next day (10th). Date Na K Cl TCO2 Urea Creat A.G. 8-1-08 (GP) 151 5.1 107 28 4.2 74 21 9-1-08 (GP) 150 6.6 109 34 3.7 79 14 10-1-08(AE) 138 3.8 102 27 3.3 61 13 ref ranges: Na (133-145), K(3.5-5.0). Units mmol/L except creat (µmol/L) GP said patient is on a lot of medications, including anti-depressants, but the most notable 'medication' was that she was described as 'taking food with her rather salt than taking salt with her food'. We can't rule out refrigeration but we believe it unlikely as a cause in this case. We have some idea but things don't add up fully and I'd appreciate your thoughts, especially if you've seen this scenario before. best wishes. Peadar Dr Peadar McGing, MRCPath EurClinChem, Principal Biochemist, Biochemistry Dept., Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland. Tel: (+353 1)8032080; Fax: (+353 1)8034781. ----------------------------Disclaimer-------------------------------------- This e-mail and any files transmitted with it contain information which may be confidential and which may also be privileged and is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. Unless you are the intended recipient you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. Any opinions expressed are that of the individual and not necessarily that of Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/