Potassium
Potassium
Potassium blood test measures the amount of potassium in your blood sample (serum or plasma). This test can reveal whether you have normal levels of potassium or not. Too much or too little potassium can result in a variety of symptoms, health risks, and even life-threatening conditions.
Although potassium can be measured separately, it is frequently measured as part of tests like an electrolyte, renal, basic, or complete metabolic panel.
Potassium helps to control nerve and muscle activity, including the heart. It also helps waste products to leave the cells while allowing nutrients to enter the cells.
Thus, getting a potassium test done is recommended to help in diagnosing and monitoring conditions like high blood pressure, kidney disease, and heart disease that cause abnormal potassium levels
Symptoms of having too much potassium
Irregular heartbeat
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Nausea
Numbness or tingling
Symptoms of having too little potassium
Irregular heartbeat
Muscle cramps
Twitching or weak muscles
Fatigue
Nausea
Constipation
What is potassium test used for? A potassium test is performed:
As a part of a routine physical to check blood potassium levels
As part of the tests done to identify kidney diseases
Upon the development of symptoms indicative of neuromuscular diseases, such as weakness in the muscles
To monitor conditions such as hypertension, kidney disease, and metabolic acidosis for progression of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment
For the purpose of monitoring patients receiving diuretic therapy, intravenous fluids or dialysis
Test preparation:
A potassium test does not require any special preparation
Interpretation of results
The amount of potassium is usually measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
|
Parameters |
Reference range in mmol/L Â |
|
Normal range |
3.5 to 5.0mmol/L |
|
Hypokalemia or low blood potassium |
Below 3.5mmol/L |
|
Hyperkalemia or high blood potassium |
Above 5.0mmol/L |
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Deviation from normal levels indicates the following:
·      Excess levels of potassium in the blood might mean that the kidneys are not effectively eliminating the excess potassium in blood from the body through urine. It can also be caused due to kidney disorders, such as acute or chronic kidney failure, certain medications, increasing potassium intake from diet or supplements, etc.
·      Low levels of potassium in blood can occur after taking diuretics, which make you urinate more frequently. Vomiting, diarrhea and excessive sweating can all lead to fluid loss, which lowers potassium levels in the blood. This condition may also be caused due to inadequate intake of potassium, kidney disease, diabetes disease-related complications, etc.
FAQs
How is the sample collected for a potassium test?
A blood sample is collected from a vein in your arm using a small needle. Usually, this process does not take more than 5 minutes
What are the risks involved in potassium test sample collection?
This test involves negligible risk. There might be slight pain or tenderness around the site where the needle went in. Rarely, the site can become infected
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for the results of potassium test?
The results of a potassium test are usually available within the same day as the sample collection, although it could take longer at times
What are the limitations of potassium test?
Some of the limitations of potassium test are listed below:
·      Due to improper blood sample collection and handling, false results may be observed in the potassium test.
·      When potassium leaks out of blood cells and into the serum, it can produce falsely elevated levels of potassium. This can happen when the blood sample is handled roughly when it is being collected or when it takes longer than expected to get to the lab.
If you clench and unclench your fist frequently during sample collection, it may lead to your blood sample having elevated levels of potassium
What are the good sources of dietary potassium?
Potassium is primarily obtained through dietary sources. Potassium-rich foods include watermelons, bananas, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, beans, lentils, beets, low-fat milk, yogurt, etc
Related tests
Tests At Lupin Diagnostics