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Real members of MyKidneyDiseaseTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
January 28
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A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member

Potassium is something different. I asked my doctor before using a salt substitute, and would recommend you do the same, because it is mostly potassium which can be hard on your kidneys. Mysalt has as much as a small banana and others are twice that. He told me I could use in moderation and he would monitor my potassium levels in my blood work and tell me if they got too high and I needed to cut back.

January 29
A MyKidneyDiseaseTeam Member

Sodium is one nutrient and Potassium is another nutrient. You need to track each nutrient separately.

January 28
MyKidneyDiseaseTeam

Do you need to add sodium and potassium together when reading food labels?

No, you don't add sodium and potassium together. They're two separate minerals that your body handles differently, and you should track them individually.

When you have kidney disease, you may need to monitor both, but they have different effects on Show Full Answer

Do you need to add sodium and potassium together when reading food labels?

No, you don't add sodium and potassium together. They're two separate minerals that your body handles differently, and you should track them individually.

When you have kidney disease, you may need to monitor both, but they have different effects on your health:

- Sodium affects blood pressure and fluid balance
- Potassium can build up in your blood when kidneys aren't filtering properly

Reading food labels carefully helps you track each mineral separately. Look at the amount per serving for each one, and keep a running total throughout the day if your doctor has given you specific limits.

A registered dietitian who works with kidney disease can help you understand how much of each mineral is right for you and teach you how to read labels more easily. Your nephrologist can also provide guidance based on your specific stage of kidney disease and blood test results.

Don't hesitate to ask your healthcare team for clarification—managing these numbers gets easier with practice!

January 28

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