My potasssium was 5.2 at my July appointment and my doc told me it was on the high end of normal.

I decided to make a few adjustments...I cut out orange juice and potatoes. I cut back on tomatoes and dairy. But I didn't go too drastic...still had a piece of pizza every now and again. I got my labs done again last week and my potassium was down to 4.1. Small adjustments made a big difference! So at 5.0 I would say to keep an eye on it but I don't think it would be characterized as way too high. Of course I am not a doctor so I don't want to steer you wrong...just don't worry yourself unduly.

Good luck!

Just got back my labs yesterday and Potassium was 5, which is considered the high end of normal. It's usually between 4 and 5. I've been on dialysis for 8 yrs. and neither the neph. or dietician has a concern, and the normal limits are listed on my labs. It is important to keep the k in range so that your heart functions normally. Perhaps ask your doctor what he feels your potassium levels should be at optimally for you taking everything into consideration. Some people are on meds. that alter k levels and diet should be adjusted accordingly. Lin.

like you Norma, my potassium was high for over a year before I needed dialysis. I was really big on fruits and veggies and had to cut back. how do you stay healthy when you have to cut back on all the things that are good for you?
potassium doesn't harm your kidneys, too much or too little can damage your heart. cutting back won't prolong your kidney health but if its too high it can be really dangerous.
I hope your doctor gave you a list of foods that are high and low in potassium so you can make better choices. apples that are at their best right now are low in K so dig in. grapes are low too but keep in mind, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. I am one who can eat a whole bunch of grapes without batting an eye if the grapes are crunchy and sweet.
Alinds listed the 3 highest sources of K in the average diet, milk is fairly high in K but has calcium which is important to protect your bones. cut back but don't stop unless you get something to replace it.
sore gums can come from insufficient vitamin C. orange juice, as already mentioned, is scary in potassium but eating a small orange or tangerine provides vitamin C. I remember reading once that eating an orange provides vitamin C better than having juice because the time spent in the mouth is longer and directly involves the gums. if they are painful they may burn from the fruit tho.
a quick but nasty fix for sore gums is baking soda and peroxide applied to them several times a day. tastes yucky but it helps. after about a minute spit and rinse to get rid of the taste.

I have low potassium and I only know how to handle that....

however, for the sore gums I recommend an herb called yarrow....

just chewing on a piece of the root relieves toothaches, sore gums all of that.

I have wisdom teeth coming in causing me a lot of issues including sore gums and it really gives me relief.

I knew there was a reason I ate plants so much when I was younger ;)

*just passing on a little Native American wisdom*