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February 10, 2012

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Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)

What is is potassium?

Small chemicals in the body known as electrolytes are crucial for cells to function. Potassium is one of the main electrolytes, and is concentrated within the cells of the body. Only 2% of the body's total potassium is available in the serum (the fluid part of the bloodstream that is not red or white blood cells or platelets). Small changes in the serum levels of potassium can affect body function. One of the important functions of potassium is maintenance of the cell electrical potential. The serum bathes the cells, and if the serum potassium level falls, cells with high electrical activity (for example, muscles and nerves) are particularly affected.

Normal potassium levels measured in the serum range from 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/liter. Normal daily intake of potassium is 70-100 mEq (270 to 390 mg/dl), and requires the kidneys to remove that same amount each day. If more is removed, the body's total potassium store will be decre...

Read the Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) article »




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