Potassium is an essential nutrient for life. Potassium helps control functions of the nervous system and plays a role in transporting nutrients into cells and waste out of cells. In addition, normal levels of potassium are essential for proper heart functions. Low potassium can cause weakness, fatigue, cramps and abnormal heart rhythms. Therefore, you should know how to test for potassium, particularly if you have kidney disease, or take medications that lower potassium levels. Because home potassium kits are unavailable, you must visit your doctor to have your potassium levels checked.
Step 1
Allow your health provider to draw blood from a vein to check for potassium. The nurse will sterilize the site over a vein, typically on the inside of your elbow. Then he will insert a small needle into the vein to draw blood. Relax as much as possible during the blood draw.
Step 2
Put constant pressure over the blood draw site once the needle is removed to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, place a Band-Aid over the site to prevent it from resuming bleeding.
Step 3
Discuss your potassium levels with your physician. A normal value is between 3.7 and 5.2 mEq/L. If potassium levels are low, you and your doctor should discuss possible causes of low potassium and make the necessary adjustments. In some cases, a daily potassium supplement may be necessary to keep potassium levels within normal ranges.
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