Case presentation A 75-year-old male was presented to a hospital with complaints of a large volume of diarrhea and progressive weight loss for the past few months. The patient reported having 10-12 watery stools per day and an excessive reduction in weight of 30 lbs over the months. Patient history The patient had a history of hypertension, renal cell carcinoma that required nephrectomy, thyroid hyperplasia with partial thyroidectomy, and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor treated with distal pancreatectomy.
Clinical examination history included a low potassium level of 1.9 mmol/L, serum Osm of 319 mOsm/kg, and unremarkable colon biopsies. The patient was prescribed rifaximin for possible bacterial growth and cholestyramine. Diagnostic work-up at presentation An elevated creatinine level of 5.8 mg/dL and the presence of “u” waves of electrocardiogram were seen consistent with hypokalemia.…
