Low Potassium Symptoms: Causes, Blood Testing and When to Be Seen

What it involves

MedlinePlus explains that low blood potassium, medically called hypokalemia, means the amount of potassium in the blood is lower than normal. Potassium is an electrolyte, a mineral cells need to work properly, and you get it through food. The kidneys remove extra potassium to keep the balance steady. The normal range is listed as 3.5 to 5.1 mEq/L.

Who this is for

• Patients who take a water pill (diuretic) and have new weakness, cramps or palpitations.
• People who have had several days of vomiting or diarrhea and still feel drained.
• Adults with kidney disease, heavy sweating or a long-term laxative habit.
• Anyone whose recent blood work showed a low potassium result and who wants to understand it.

What to expect

• A review of your medicines, recent illness, diet and symptoms such as cramps, tingling or palpitations
• Blood work, which is among the services the practice lists, to check potassium and related levels
• An EKG at the Loxahatchee and West Palm Beach offices when it is appropriate for your symptoms
• A plan to correct the level and treat whatever caused it, with a repeat check if needed

Common causes of low potassium

MedlinePlus lists several common causes. Medicines are a big one, particularly diuretics, and so are diarrhea, vomiting, laxative overuse, sweating, eating disorders and chronic kidney disease. A low magnesium level can also keep potassium low, and rarer hormone problems such as hyperaldosteronism and Cushing syndrome are on the list. Because the causes differ so much, the first job at a visit is working out which one fits your recent weeks, your medicine list and your other health conditions.

Symptoms that deserve attention

The encyclopedia says a small drop in potassium often causes mild to moderate symptoms: constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness or spasms, tingling or numbness, and palpitations. Nothing on that list is specific, so many people blame age or stress for months. A big drop is more serious because the heart depends on potassium to keep a steady rhythm. The heart palpitations guide and the muscle cramps guide describe other reasons these symptoms occur.

How the level is checked

A provider orders a blood test to measure potassium. MedlinePlus says other blood tests may be added, such as glucose, magnesium, calcium, sodium, thyroid hormone and aldosterone, and an electrocardiogram may be done to look at the heart. Many of these levels appear together on a routine chemistry panel, and the basic metabolic panel explainer shows what that panel includes. The practice lists blood work and EKG among its services, with the EKG offered at two offices.

Treatment and food sources

According to MedlinePlus, a mild case is usually treated with potassium pills, while a severe one may need potassium given through a vein, which is hospital care. If the cause is a water pill, a provider may switch to a type that keeps potassium in the body or add a daily supplement. Foods rich in potassium can help treat and prevent a low level. The encyclopedia names bananas, oranges, potatoes, beans, spinach, tomatoes, salmon and milk. Do not start supplements on your own, because too much potassium is also harmful.

Why the cause matters as much as the number

Correcting the number without finding the reason invites it to drop again. If the cause is diarrhea or vomiting, treating the illness and keeping up fluids matters, as the stomach flu and dehydration guide describes. If a medicine is responsible, the dose or type may need to change, and you should never stop a prescribed medicine without asking. If kidney function is part of the story, the kidney function tests page explains how that is followed over time. The opposite problem, too much potassium in the blood, is covered in the high potassium guide, where kidney disease and certain medicines are among the causes listed.

When to get help right away

MedlinePlus says to contact your provider right away if you have been vomiting or have had excessive diarrhea, or if you take diuretics and have symptoms of low potassium. In severe cases, untreated low potassium can lead to serious heart rhythm problems that can be fatal, and a very low level can cause life-threatening paralysis. Call 911 or go to the emergency room for fainting, chest pain, a racing or irregular heartbeat that will not settle, or sudden severe weakness.

Sources

• MedlinePlus: Low blood potassium (encyclopedia)
• MedlinePlus: Potassium (health topic)