Having put in a lot of time the last few days trying to make sense out of my potassium issues, a search led me back to this thread from 3.5 years ago. I am bumping it up because we need to keep it in mind.

L-dopa, even with an enzyme inhibitor, causes an unknown number of us to pee away potassium. As a result we walk a knife edge and are constantly shifting back and forth between "not quite enough" and "just barely enough". The symptoms of too little potassium are very similar to those of PD. Lab tests are of limited value because most potassium is stored inside the cells and is not measured.

If you are dealing with freezing, dyskinesia, tremor, etc., consider the possibility that L-dopa may vastly increase your potassium requirement.

Hey Rick -

I just had my first general physical exam in years - it included a blood metabolic work up. All of the test results were within standard parameters. But that is just a snap shot - at another time, another day - would they have been much different - outside the parameters or even a variation within - the "standard" scale can be quite wide. How do we know without testing our blood through out the day?

The only MAJOR deficiency was my vitamin D - it registered a lowly 7 - below the "normal low" of 10-12; far below the 30 that is seen as the baseline for good health (I don't get much sun). I'm starting on 50,000 mgs this week for about 3 months, then another check. I am curious/looking forward to seeing what this does for my overall health/symptoms/feeling good.

Carey-
If I may ask, what was your potassium? Mine was checked twice in the last year and was 3.5 both times. That's the lowest of normal - some say it should be 4.5.
-Rick

If you are going to use the RX form, you might want to read this:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/p...n/198626816074

D2-- the RX form-- 87% less effective than D3.
(new information)

Rick - my potassium was 4.2; the standard range was given as 3.5-5.3

MrsD - thanks for the info!

Carey, i also was a 7. in Florida for 27 years. no more sunblock and i need to get out more!

Paula - have you been able to raise yours?

I shun the sun - easy to do in the Pacific Northwest! I am going to make a point of going outside for longer periods of time. During my physical exam, my doctor was listening with her stethoscope on my back; she exclaimed over the good condition of my skin, "it looks like it never has seen the sun!" Yep. No wonder I'm D-deficient!

Won't find out till later this month, I take 2,000 IU daily. will let you know.