Steroids and potassium

irishFey · Post by **irishFey** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:31 pm

While having my weekly check -up for uveitis , my blood sugar went way down and I fainted and was brought to the emergency room.(fortunately the clinic was in the hospital!) During my stay I was extremely disoriented, until my sugars came up. Another unusual thing was that my blood work showed a low potassium level and I was given tablets for the condition, Two weeks ago I had steroid injection into my lower lid, could this cause a lowering of potassium?
Thanks in Advance, Fey

Mike Bartolatz · Post by **Mike Bartolatz** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:41 am

oral corticosteroids can cause type II diabetes. I am not familar with hypoglycemia being caused by them. not enough of the corticosteroid from an injection to tissue surrounding the eye is absorbed systemically to effect blood glucose from what I have read. the same is true of the eyedrops. I am not aware of injections being able to effect potassium levels either.

if you are a type II diabetic and didn't know it then this can happen. I am diabetic and I have to be very careful with eating and taking my medications.

glad you weren't seriously hurt by the experience,

wish you the best,
Mike