Low Potassium
(Hypokalemia)

Medical Author: Benjamin C. Wedro, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

• What is is potassium?
• What are the causes of low potassium  (hypokalemia)?
• What are the symptoms of low potassium?
• How is low potassium diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for low potassium?
• How can low potassium be prevented?
• Patient Discussions: Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) - How Was Diagnosis Established

Featured low potassium (hypokalemia) patient discussions on diagnosis "I had two TIAs (mini strokes) in the course of one month. Upon taking blood in the hospital they found low potassium levels. I started taking potassium pills in the hospital and followed up with my family doctor. It is still low but not as low as it was in the hospital. I couldn't understand why I was so tired and why my legs ached constantly and sometimes my left leg would just go numb and would have a tingling sensation in it. I now take blood tests once a month to monitor my potassium level. It is just as scary to have the low potassium levels as it was to have the two mini strokes. I am 58 years old, and I want to live a lot longer. I am adjusting to this new setback but also taking preventive measures to make sure that I am around to see my grandson graduate from college in about 10 years. " "I began having the feeling that there was a frog jumping around in my chest, and I had occasional minor chest pains. I went to the emergency. After about six hours of palpitations, they performed an ECG, EKG, Chest X-ray and blood tests. Everything except the blood tests were normal, which led to a diagnosis of PVC's (Premature Ventricular Contractions) due to hypokalemia." "Low potassium was diagnosed through a general blood check I had last week, as was high creatinine. One of my kidneys was removed due to cancer (over 10 years ago). My GP periodically checks my blood. Your site is very informative and clearly explains low potassium, its causes and symptoms. The muscle wasting that has occurred in my body this year is now, perhaps, explained together with general weariness that feels abnormal. " Read All Comments on Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) » Top Searched Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) Terms: cushing's, symptoms, causes, pheochromocytoma, hashimotos' thyroiditis, low potassium, normal ecg, tachycardia, syncope, cardiac arrhythmias, fibromyalgia, magnesium, ekg changes Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

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 decreased, and the result is hypokalemia (hypo=low + kal=potassium +emia= in the blood) occurs.

Potassium enters the body through dietary intake. Examples of potassium rich foods include:

• Fresh fruits: bananas, cantaloupe, oranges, strawberries, kiwi, avocados, apricots
• Fresh vegetables: greens, mushrooms, peas, beets, tomatoes
• Meats: beef, fish, turkey,
• Juices: Orange, prune, apricot, grapefruit

What are the causes of low potassium?

Hypokalemia is not commonly caused by poor dietary intake.

Excessive loss is the most common reason that potassium levels are low. Loss of potassium may occur from both the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and from the kidney.

Potassium loss from the intestines may be caused by:

• Vomiting
  
  
• Diarrhea
  
  
• Ileostomy: In some patients who have had bowel surgery and an ileotomy formed, significant potassium loss can occur.
  
  
• Villous adenoma (a type of colon polyp that can cause the colon to leak potassium)
  
  
• Laxative use

Causes of potassium loss from the kidney:

• Diuretic medications (water pills) like hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) or furosemide (Lasix)
  
  
• Elevated corticosteroid levels, either from medication like prednisone or from Cushing's Syndrome
  
  
• Elevated levels of aldosterone, a hormone that can increase with renal artery stenosis or adrenal tumors
  
  
• Renal tubular acidosis
  
  
• Low body magnesium levels

Low potassium levels may result from side effects of some medications:

• Aminoglycosides like gentamicin (Garamycin) or tobramycin (Nebcin)
  
  
• Amphotericin B
  
  
• Prednisone

Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) - How Was Diagnosis Established

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