Does Potassium Deficiency Cause Twitching?

[Outlook1958]

Hello community,I have a question that might interest some of you. One of my numerous doctors (a cardiologist actually, not a neurologist) said that a lack of potassium might cause muscle twitching. I had a blood analysis done in September 08 (three months before my twitching started) and potassium was at 3,94 mmol/l. Last week (in the middle of January, roughly one month after the twitching started) they detected 3,68 mmol/l. So the onset of the fascics somehow came together with the potassium level drop. This is interesting, especially because I read a lot of people speaking of connections between blood electrolyte levels and muscular symptoms, INCLUDING twitching and/or cramps.Has somebody noticed onsets/increases of twitching after a potassium level drop or decreased twitching after regaining potassium levels?

 

[simonw00]

Low potassium and low magnesium can cause muscle twitches. Your potassium level is fine (I think the normal is > 3,5) so I don't think this is the cause in your case. Trying magnesium/ potassium supplements might be an option and could do no harm so long as you don't take too many and make your postassium level go TOO high which is not at all good for your heart. Your cardiologist wo'nt know as much about neuromuscular disorders so his/ her views, whilst valuable, are probably not as reliable as will be the advice of your neurologist. In the meantime, I would assume you have BFS and try not to worry too much.Simon

 

[Outlook1958]

Thanks for the advice! The cardiologist told me to eat bananas, apricots and nuts. I think I'll just eat a banana or two per day, maybe it'll have some effect (although highly unprobable). At least it shouldn't do any harm.I also think that artificial electrolyte supplements should only be taken if advised by a doctor due to a real lack of one or several of them after having a blood analysis. But a blood analysis is nevertheless a good and relatively simple starting point when searching for a possible reason of twitches and other muscular symptoms.