Dangers of Oral Potassium in Eating Disorders - Abstract
Potassium depletion in eating disorders can be fatal. As people with disordered eating become aware of the risks, they may seek on their own, or obtain on physician recommendation, oral potassium supplements. Such supplements are endorsed on the internet and are widely used, either with medical endorsement or spontaneously by patients as they become aware of actual or potential deficiencies. Such patients may not disclose their worry or their self-medication to physicians. Possible consequences include hypo- or hyperkalemia, potentially fatal. In this paper, these dangers are illustrated with composite cases. Recommendations are made.