Acceptable Potassium Levels

The human body relies upon essential vitamins and minerals to support normal functions. Potassium, an essential mineral, functions as an electrolyte, conducting electrical impulses between nerve and muscle cells. This function makes potassium vital for normal muscle contraction, digestive action and heartbeat. Potassium also helps balance the level of fluids in the body, making it important in blood pressure regulation. Many factors influence your ability to maintain acceptable potassium levels including potassium consumption and the presence of other medication conditions.

Recommended Intake

In 2004, the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine established an adequate intake level (AI) for potassium based on intake levels that have been found to lower blood pressure, reduce salt sensitivity. The AI for adults ages 19 and over is 4,700 mg.

Potassium Testing

Approximately 98 percent of the potassium, a positively charged ion, in your body can be found in the fluid inside of cells, according to Periodic Paralysis International. To determine if your body contains an acceptable potassium level your doctor can perform a potassium test. Doctors perform this test by taking a sample of blood. The acceptable potassium level ranges from 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L. Doctors often perform this test to monitor patients with kidney disease, high blood pressure or heart problems.

Hypokalemia

Hypokalemia describes a medical condition that occurs when your body contains too little potassium. Without the acceptable levels of potassium, nerve, muscle and heart function become inhibited. Hypokalemia rarely occurs due to an inadequate intake of potassium. Consuming a diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains provides enough potassium to meet your daily intake. Hypokalemia usually occurs due to a chronic disease, extreme heat or the use of certain types of medications. Diuretics, often prescribed to treat high blood pressure, stimulate the kidney to remove more fluid from the blood. These drugs also promote the loss of excessive amounts of potassium leading to a potassium deficiency. Symptoms of hypokalemia include fatigue, muscle weakness, muscle cramps and irregular heartbeat.

Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia, the presence of too much potassium in the blood, usually occurs due to decreased kidney function. The kidneys filter out excess potassium from the blood for removal in the urine. Impaired kidney function, such as occurs during kidney disease, interferes with this function causing potassium to remain in the blood. In addition, the adrenal gland produces the hormone aldosterone. This hormone stimulates the kidneys to remove potassium from the blood and release it in the urine. Addison's disease, a disease that affects the adrenal glands and inhibits the production of aldosterone, can cause high potassium levels. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include nausea, slow or weak pulse and irregular heartbeat. The heart arrhythmias associated with hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest, a condition characterized by the absence of a heartbeat.