Potassium test

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:

Greater-than-normal levels (hyperkalemia) may indicate:

• Addison's disease (rare)
• crush injury (tissue trauma)
• hemolysis (red blood cell destruction)
• hypoaldosteronism (very rare)
• metabolic or respiratory acidosis
• renal failure
• transfusion of hemolyzed blood
• hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (potassium is elevated during episodes of paralysis)

Lower-than-normal levels (hypokalemia) may indicate:

• Cushing's syndrome (rare)
• deficient potassium intake in the diet
• diarrhea
• hyperaldosteronism (very rare)
• renal tubular acidosis (rare)
• vomiting
• excessive potassium loss because of a GI (gastrointestinal)disorder (e.g., villous adenoma (tumor))
• hypokalemic periodic paralysis (low potassium during an episode of paralysis)
• diuretic use

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• acute adrenal crisis
• acute bilateral obstructive uropathy
• acute nephritic syndrome
• bulimia
• chronic renal failure
• Cushing's syndrome caused by adrenal tumor
• Cushing's syndrome; exogenous
• diabetic ketoacidosis
• ectopic Cushing's syndrome
• pituitary Cushing's (Cushing's disease)
• primary thrombocythemia
• renal tubular acidosis; distal
• rhabdomyolysis
• thyrotoxic periodic paralysis