The body needs potassium so that the heart, nerves and muscles can work properly. However, high serum potassium levels can lead to cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death from cardiac arrest. Hyperkalemia is a condition in which you have too much potassium in your blood. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include weakness, fatigue and paralysis. Factors that affect potassium content of the cells, potassium intake or excretion can cause hyperkalemia.
Primary Adrenal Insufficiency
Destruction of the adrenal glands by autoimmune disease, infection or tumors can cause primary adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease. Primary adrenal insufficiency is a hormonal disease characterized by low levels of a hormone called aldosterone. This hormone stimulates the kidneys to excrete more potassium and less sodium. When the level of aldosterone in the body is lower than usual, the body begins to retain more potassium and excrete more sodium. Primary adrenal insufficiency causes hyperkalemia due to the increase in potassium retention.
Insulin Deficiency
Most of the body's potassium content is found inside the cells. "Clinical Physiology of Acid-Base and Electrolyte Disorders," by Burton David Rose and Theodore W. Post states that hyperkalemia caused by movement of potassium out of the cell is typically seen in diabetic ketoacidosis or nonketotic hyperglycemia -- short-term complications of diabetes. Diabetes is a disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood due to insulin deficiency or insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose from the bloodstream, into the cells. Because insulin is deficient or ineffective in diabetes, when the diabetes is uncontrolled, blood glucose levels rise and cause both water and potassium to move out of the cells and into the bloodstream. This leads to a rise in the amount of potassium in the blood and hyperkalemia.
Excessive Intake
Excessive intake of potassium can cause an increase in the amount of potassium in the serum. This can occur when a person ingests high amounts of potassium supplements or potassium rich foods. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library notes that intravenous administration of potassium can also cause this problem. Taking drugs that contain potassium can cause hyperkalemia. Penicillin is a medication that contains potassium.
References
- "Clinical physiology of acid-base and electrolyte disorders'; Burton David Rose, Theodore W. Post; 2001
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Hyperkalemia
- MedlinePlus: Hyperkalemia
- Medscape: Hyperkalemia
- MayoClinic.com: Addison's Disease
