If your potassium levels are too high or too low, you can develop health problems. Therefore it is important that you test that potassium level in your blood to ensure that your body is able to function properly. Improper levels will affect your metabolism, your acid-base balance in your body and many essential cell functions.
Hyperkalemia
The ideal level of potassium in your blood is 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L. If your level is too high, you will be diagnosed with hyperkalemia, which is the clinical term for high blood potassium. Symptoms of hyperkalemia can include an irregular heartbeat, nausea and a slow, weak, or absent pulse according to PubMed Health. High potassium levels can be caused by kidney problems that interfere with your body's ability to eliminate excess potassium from your blood.
Hypokalemia
If your level is too low, you will be diagnosed with hypokalemia or low blood potassium. Symptoms of hypokalemia include a breakdown of your muscle fibers, muscle spams, muscle weakness, fatigue, constipation, abnormal heart rhythms and paralysis. Hypokalemia can be caused by extended use of certain medications and antibiotics as well as excessive diarrhea, vomiting and sweating. Other causes include bulimia and kidney disease.
Potassium RDA
One way to help your body maintain a proper blood potassium level is to consume an adequate amount through your diet. The recommended dietary allowance or RDA is the minimum amount that you must eat to ensure proper cell function. The RDA for potassium is 4,700 mg per day for adult males and females. If you are a women and you are breastfeeding, you need 5,100 mg per day. Potassium is found in many different foods including fruits, vegetables, red meat, chicken and fish. Some good sources include cantaloupe, bananas, broccoli, tomatoes, salmon and tuna. Milk, nuts and yogurt also contain potassium.
Considerations
A dietary deficiency is not a common cause of low blood potassium because potassium is found in so many foods. Therefore if your levels are too low, you may have a serious health problem. Talk with your doctor about having your level checked if you are suffering from symptoms related to too much or too little blood potassium. If you have abnormal results, your doctor will be able to determine the best form of treatment.
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