Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Potassium test

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Hypokalemia test; K+


Normal Values

The normal range is 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L.

Note: mEq/L = milliequivalent per liter


What abnormal results mean

High levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) may be due to:

  • Addison's disease (rare)
  • Blood transfusion
  • Crushed tissue injury
  • Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis
  • Hypoaldosteronism (very rare)
  • Kidney failure
  • Metabolic or respiratory acidosis
  • Red blood cell destruction

Low levels of potassium (hypokalemia) may be due to:

  • Chronic diarrhea or use of laxatives
  • Cushing syndrome (rare)
  • Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, and indapamide
  • Hyperaldosteronism
  • Hypokalemic periodic paralysis
  • Not enough potassium in the diet
  • Renal artery stenosis
  • Renal tubular acidosis (rare)
  • Vomiting

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

  • Acute adrenal crisis
  • Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy
  • Acute nephritic syndrome
  • Bulimia
  • Chronic kidney failure
  • Cushing's disease
  • Cushing syndrome caused by adrenal tumor
  • Cushing syndrome - exogenous
  • Cushing syndrome - ectopic
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis
  • Primary thrombocythemia
  • Renal tubular acidosis - distal
  • Rhabdomyolysis
  • Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

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)