Potassium is a vital mineral and electrolyte necessary for proper function of all cells, tissues and organs in the human body. The body strictly controls potassium levels within a narrow range. There are many causes of potassium abnormalities. If left untreated, the slightest decrease or increase in potassium levels can lead to severe heart conditions, paralysis and even death.
Function
Potassium plays many important roles in your body. As an electrolyte, it conducts electricity and carries nerve impulses to your cells. Potassium is crucial to skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, normal digestion and heart function. Potassium is also responsible for the regulation of the acid-base balance, protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and proper growth and development.
Normal Levels
The body has control mechanisms which tightly regulate your blood's potassium levels; balancing the amount of potassium you consume with that lost. Healthy kidneys are able to adjust the amount of potassium excreted and the body can utilize potassium stores to maintain a constant potassium level. The normal range of potassium in your blood is 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L. The slightest deviation can cause serious problems, especially with the heart.
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia occurs when the potassium levels in your blood drop. A small drop in potassium does not typically result in symptoms. However, a potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L can be life-threatening. Symptoms include irregular heart rhythm, constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness, paralysis and cardiac arrest. If left untreated, low potassium can lead to kidney damage and even death. Hypokalemia is usually the result of vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders or medication use, such as antibiotics or diuretics. Increased excretion or increased movement of potassium from the blood into the cells can also result in hypokalemia.
Treatment
Mild hypokalemia is typically treated by increasing your intake of potassium-rich foods or by taking a potassium supplement. If your potassium levels are dangerously low, intravenous potassium may be needed. If you take diuretics, your doctor may change your medication to a form that does not deplete potassium levels. If hypokalemia is the result of an underlying medical problem, your physician will first treat that condition.
Hyperkalemia
High potassium levels, or hyperkalemia, occur when the level of potassium in your blood rises above 6.0 mEq/L. Mild hyperkalemia may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms associated with severe hyperkalemia include weakness, fatigue, tingling or numbness, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, paralysis, irregular heartbeat and if the level becomes too high, the heart can stop beating. Hyperkalemia usually results from several simultaneous problems. These include kidney disorders, such as kidney failure which affects your ability to regulate potassium excretion; medications; a diet high in potassium; excessive supplementation; Addison's disease; type 1 diabetes or trauma.
Treatment
Elevated potassium levels can often be treated by decreasing your dietary intake of potassium or by stopping medications that prevent the kidneys from excreting excess potassium. Your physician may prescribe a diuretic to increase potassium excretion if your kidneys are functioning properly. For severe hyperkalemia, potassium levels need to be reduced immediately to protect the heart. This can be accomplished by giving you calcium intravenously, followed by insulin and glucose. This causes potassium to move from your blood into cells, lowering the potassium levels. Dialysis may be necessary to remove the excess potassium if other measures do not work or if you have kidney failure.
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