[khanar]

Today I was reading about hypokalemia and found out that one of the causes could be starting vitamin B12 therapy in a B12 deficient patient!
I scratched my head with this. What is the mechanism behind that? I see no reason why potassium levels go down when correct an anemia

 

[Sabio]

Why hypokalemia with anemia treatment

When you give vitamin B12 you are building DNA and so you are building new cells (RBCs and other blood cells) These "new" cells will take up the Potassium and internalize it intracellularly (Potassium is mainly intracellular) and therefore your extracellular Potassium will diminish as a result.

 

[khanar]

Woe ..

When you give vitamin B12 you are building DNA and so you are building new cells (RBCs and other blood cells) These "new" cells will take up the Potassium and internalize it intracellularly (Potassium is mainly intracellular) and therefore your extracellular Potassium will diminish as a result.

Woee, that really makes sense

 

[FSUSTC]

Patient with B12 deficiency usually die from very rapid correction of VitB 12 deficiency , which causes lots of new cell production which release in circulation and takes in K+ causes hypokalemia thus arrythmia ensue .......

 

[binav]

Patient with B12 deficiency usually die from very rapid correction of VitB 12 deficiency , which causes lots of new cell production which release in circulation and takes in K+ causes hypokalemia thus arrythmia ensue .......

could you please refer me to some litreture which has mentioned this..