Table of Contents
- Overview
- Results
- Risks
- Prevention
- Images
The health care provider may tell you to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test.
Drugs that can increase potassium measurements include:
- Aminocaproic acid
- Antineoplastic drugs
- ACE inhibitors
- Certain diuretics
- Epinephrine
- Heparin
- Histamine
- Isoniazid
- Mannitol
- Succinylcholine
Drugs that can decrease potassium measurements include:
- Acetazolamide
- Aminosalicylic acid
- Amphotericin B
- Carbenicillin
- Cisplatin
- Certain diuretics
- Insulin
- Laxatives
- Penicillin G
- Phenothiazines
- Salicylates
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
The following factors can interfere with the test:
- Infusion of potassium-containing fluids
- Infusion of glucose or insulin
How the test will feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performed
This test is routinely done as part of an
Your doctor may order this test to diagnose or monitor kidney disease. The most common cause of high potassium levels is kidney disease.
Because potassium is important to heart function, your doctor may order this test if you have signs of high blood pressure or heart problems. Small changes in potassium levels can have a big effect on the activity of nerves and muscles, especially the heart. Low levels of potassium cause increased heart muscle activity, which can lead to an
It may also be done if your doctor suspects
Occasionally, the potassium test may be done in persons who are having an attack of
Images
Review Date: 05/13/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical
Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
