Hypokalemia

(Potassium deficiency)

What is potassium?

Potassium (chemical symbol K), is an extremely important mineral (electrolyte) which is responsible for several vital functions including;

• Assists in regulating nerve impulse & muscle contractions.
• Helps maintain blood pressure.
• Maintaining heart function.
• Maintains the body's electrolyte balance and acid/alkali levels in cells and tissues.
• It also plays an important  role in heart, skeletal, and smooth muscle contraction, making it an important nutrient for normal heart, digestive, and muscular function.

What is hypokalemia?

Hypokalemia is an abnormally low level of potassium (too much potassium is known as hyperkalemia). The name comes from hypo=low, kalium=potassium, emia=blood. 98% of potassium is intracellular (stored within the cells), the remainder is in the blood. The normal blood potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 milliequivalents per litre (mEq/L).

What causes hypokalemia?

Potassium is found in a wide range of foods, and therefore inadequate dietary intake is not often responsible for hypokalemia. The most common causes of hypokalemia are from fluid loss caused by vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, use of diuretics etc.  

Other causes include;

• Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
• Medications. Some types of antibiotics, excessive use of laxatives, high blood pressure medications, steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
• Certain kidney disorders such as diabetic ketoacidosis, chronic kidney failure etc.
• Cushing's Syndrome.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Eating excessive amounts of licorice.

Hypokalemia symptoms:

Mild hypokalemia often has no symptoms, you may not be aware you have low potassium until it is picked up during a routine blood test. Moderate to severe hypokalemia may include the following symptoms;

• Fatigue.
• Vomiting.
• Muscle cramps, spasms, weakness.
• Heart palpitations.
• Mental confusion.

Hypokalemia treatment:

Where possible, finding and treating the underlying cause of hypokalemia. This may include changing medications, controlling vomiting, diarrhea etc.

• Mild hypokalemia will be treated with oral potassium supplements.
• Severe cases will require intravenous potassium until the condition has stabilized and potassium levels return to normal, then oral potassium supplements.
• Eat a well balanced diet, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

It should be noted that hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) is also a serious disease and you should seek medical advice before taking potassium supplements. In most cases, a well balanced diet will provide adequate potassium without the need for additional supplements.

Potassium rich foods:

Potassium is found in fruits, vegetables and meat. Potassium rich foods include;

Apricots, bananas, beets, beans, brussel sprouts, carrots, cucumber, cauliflower, Jerusalem artichokes, kiwi, lima beans, melon, potatoes, raisins, sweet potato, tomatoes.

Milk,  yoghurt.

Chicken, beef, lamb, pork, fish.

Also see:

Scurvy

Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a doctor & should not be considered a replacement for a doctor visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only.

Always seek immediate medical advice for any problems.

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.