Potassium is involved in so many processes in the body that its deficiency or excess immediately affects your he alth. Check what are the norms for potassium in biochemical tests and what the decrease or increase in its concentration may indicate.

Potassiumis present in all cells. It is necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system, muscle work, and the burning of carbohydrates and proteins. It stimulates the secretion of insulin, controls blood pressure and regulates the kidneys and the body's water balance. Potassium travels across cell membranes, supplying all organs with nutrients. At the same time, it gets rid of unnecessary metabolic products.

Potassium norms

The standard for potassium is 3.5-5 mmol / l.

Increase in blood potassium concentration

The increase in potassium concentration in the blood is most often the result of a slowdown in its excretion in the urine and an excessive release of potassium from the cell. It happens as a result of the breakdown of tissues or proteins. The most common reasons for this are starvation or untreated diabetes. Moreover, the level of potassium in the blood increases due to hypoxia, as a result of metabolic or respiratory acidosis, as well as in renal failure and adrenal insufficiency.

Drop in blood potassium

A drop in blood potassium levels may be caused by prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal fistula, gastric fistula, metabolic and diabetic acidosis. Certain diuretics, synthetic insulin and drugs with testosterone can also contribute to a decrease in potassium. In addition, decreased potassium is observed in patients after surgeries fed via a tube or enterally.

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