Lower than normal levels of potassium in the body, or hypokalemia, can alter the way the heart works. This condition can cause symptoms such as weak muscles, constipation and cardiac arrhythmia -- abnormal heart beats. Conditions that cause the body to excrete potassium or move potassium in the bloodstream into the cells are some causes of potassium deficiency.
Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis
Hyperthyroidism is a hormonal disorder in which the thyroid glands overproduce thyroid hormones. This speeds up the rate at which body processes occur, such as heart beats. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a disease that is associated with periods of muscle weakness. It can also cause hypokalemia. In this condition, potassium in the bloodstream moves into the cells. Because of this, serum levels of potassium drop, and hypokalemia can then occur. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis occurs in people who have hyperthyroidism. MedlinePlus reports that this disorder is typically seen in Asian men.
Drugs
Certain medications can cause hypokalemia. According to the Merck Manuals Medical Library, diuretics -- drugs that stimulate the kidneys to excrete excess water in urine -- can cause this condition. This is because some diuretics promote increased secretion of potassium in urine. Medications used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, such as hydrocortisone and epinephrine can also cause hypokalemia. Hydrocortisone makes the kidneys excrete more potassium. Epinephrine promotes movement of potassium in the bloodstream into the cells. Insulin, when administered in large doses to treat acute complications of diabetes, also has this effect.
Aldosterone Imbalance
The kidneys regulate excretion and retention of potassium. Conditions that disrupt kidney function can cause hypokalemia. Hyperaldosteronism, is an adrenal disease in which the adrenal glands make too much aldosterone -- a hormone that determines how much potassium and sodium the kidneys remove from the body. When this hormone is high, the kidneys excrete large amounts of potassium and retain sodium. Hypokalemia can then occur. Certain genetic diseases like Bartter's syndrome can also cause hypokalemia. In Bartter's syndrome, the body loses a lot of sodium. To conserve sodium, production of aldosterone is increased. This in turn causes the kidneys to excrete more potassium. Consequently, serum levels of potassium drop and hypokalemia then occurs.
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