Low potassium (hypokalemia)
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-potassium/MY00760
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Definition
Low potassium (hypokalemia) refers to a lower than normal level of potassium in your bloodstream. Potassium is a chemical (electrolyte) that is critical to the proper functioning of nerve and muscles cells, particularly heart muscle cells.
Normally, your blood potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention.
Causes
Low potassium (hypokalemia) has many causes. The most common cause of low potassium is excessive potassium loss in urine or from the digestive tract. Only rarely is low potassium due to not getting enough potassium in your diet.
The most common cause of excessive potassium loss is the use of prescription diuretics — water or fluid pills. Causes of potassium loss leading to low potassium include:
- Chronic kidney failure
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diarrhea
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive use of laxatives
- Prescription diuretic (water or fluid pills) use
- Primary aldosteronism
- Vomiting
When to see a doctor
In most cases, low potassium is more commonly found by a blood test, before it gets so low that it causes symptoms.
Low potassium symptoms may include:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Constipation
Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are the most worrisome complication of very low potassium levels, particularly in patients with underlying heart disease.
Talk to your doctor about what your results mean. You may need to change a medication that's affecting your potassium level, or you may need to treat another medical condition that's causing your low potassium level. Treatment of low potassium is directed at the underlying cause and may include potassium supplements. Don't start taking potassium supplements without talking to your doctor first.
- Rose BD. Causes of hypokalemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 24, 2011.
- Mount DB. Clinical manifestations and treatment of hypokalemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 25, 2011.
- Rose BD. Diuretic-induced hypokalemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 24, 2011.
- Laboratory reference values. Potassium values. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. July 2011.
- Pulmonary function, arterial blood gases and electrolyte studies. In: Fischbach FT, et al. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009: 944.
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