Your body needs adequate levels of potassium to function properly -- high or low potassium can be equally dangerous. Potassium problems often result from diet, various illnesses and medical conditions, or they can be a side effect of certain medications. You can check your potassium level quickly and easily with a simple blood test at your doctor's office. Then your physician can review your test results and recommend the desired potassium level for you.
Potassium
Potassium plays an important role in maintaining the acid-base balance in the body, helping you to metabolize proteins and carbohydrates, keeping the heart beat steady, and promoting adequate muscle growth. Most adults need about 4.7 g of potassium every day. Potassium is found in many foods so deficiencies are rare; however, a poor diet and certain medical conditions can cause your level to go too low or too high. A blood test can determine your desired level of potassium, which should be between 3.7 to 5.2 milliequivalent per liter or mEq/L of blood, notes MedlinePlus.
Hyperkalemia
Too high of a level of potassium is called hyperkalemia. Your kidneys usually keep the level of potassium in the blood steady; however, if your kidneys are not working properly, your level can get too high, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. High levels of potassium can cause symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, weakness, tingling or numbness in various areas of the body, paralysis, trouble breathing, nausea and vomiting. Diabetes, trauma from injuries, Addison's disease, medications such as beta-blockers, and too much potassium in the diet are other possible causes. Your potassium levels are considered dangerously high when they reach 6.0 mEq/L or higher. A combination of medication and diet are usually used to treat high potassium levels.
Hypokalemia
When your level of potassium drops too low, you may be diagnosed with hypokalemia. Potassium levels that drop to less than 2.5 mEq/L are considered life threatening. Symptoms of a low potassium level include weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation or abnormal heart rhythms, according to MayoClinic.com. Certain situations, such as taking diuretics, diarrhea, eating disorders, excessive use of laxatives, chronic kidney failure, primary aldosteronism and vomiting, can all cause you to lose potassium through your urine. Treatment may include taking potassium supplements and treating any underlying medical conditions.
Potassium Blood Test
If you are having a blood test to check your potassium level, you may need to take steps to make sure the test is accurate. For example, your physician may recommend that you stop taking or decrease the dosage of certain medications that can alter results.
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