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Hypokalemia

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Blood test
Blood test

Alternative Names    Return to top

Potassium - low; Low blood potassium

Definition    Return to top

Hypokalemia is a lower-than-normal amount of potassium in the blood. It may result from a number of conditions.

Causes    Return to top

Potassium is needed for cells, especially nerve and muscle cells, to function properly. You get potassium through food. The kidneys remove excess potassium in the urine to keep a proper balance of the mineral in the body.

Hypokalemia is a metabolic disorder that occurs when the level of potassium in the blood drops too low.

Possible causes of hypokalemia include:

Symptoms    Return to top

A small drop in potassium usually doesn't cause symptoms. However, a big drop in the level can be life threatening.

Symptoms of hypokalemia include:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Your health care provider will take a sample of your blood to check potassium levels.

Other tests might include:

Treatment    Return to top

Mild hypokalemia can be treated by taking potassium supplements by mouth. Persons with more severe cases may need to get potassium through a vein (intravenously).

If you need to use diuretics, your doctor may switch you to a form that keeps potassium in the body (such as triamterene, amiloride, or spironolactone).

One type of hypokalemia that causes paralysis occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the blood (thyrotoxic periodic paralysis). Treatment lowers the thyroid hormone level, and raises the potassium level in the blood.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Taking potassium supplements can usually correct the problem. Without proper treatment, potassium levels in severe cases can drop low enough to cause death.

Possible Complications    Return to top

In severe cases, patients can develop paralysis that can be life threatening. Hypokalemia also can lead to dangerous irregular heartbeat. Over time, lack of potassium can lead to kidney damage (hypokalemic nephropathy).

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have been vomiting or have had excessive diarrhea, or if you are taking diuretics and have symptoms of hypokalemia.

Prevention    Return to top

Eating a diet rich in potassium can help prevent hypokalemia. Foods high in potassium include:

References    Return to top

Schaefer TJ, Wolford RW. Disorders of potassium. Emerg Med Clin North Am. August 2005;23:723-747.

Lafrance JP, Leblanc M. Metabolic, electrolytes, and nutritional concerns in critical illness. Crit Care Clin. April 2005;21:305-327.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders, 2003.

Fukagawa M, Kurokawa K, Papadakis M. Fluid and electrolyte disorders. In Gonzales R, Ziegler R, eds. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2007. New York, NY:McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Update Date: 9/12/2007

Updated by: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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