If your body is low in potassium, you may be diagnosed with hypokalemia. Potassium levels normally fall between 3.6 and 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L, according to Mayo Clinic. Hypokalemia can be particularly dire when potassium levels fall below 2.5 mEq/L. Severe hypokalemia can result in life-threatening conditions in your body due to the potential for fatal heart rate abnormalities. An excess of potassium can also cause serious problems, so consult your doctor before using potassium supplements.
Function of Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte, meaning that it becomes a charged particle, capable of conducting electricity, when in solution. In your body, potassium is a crucial factor in maintaining an electrochemical gradient across the membranes of cells, called membrane potential. Membrane potential must be tightly regulated in order to sustain nerve, muscle and heart function.
Causes of Potassium Loss
The use of thiazide diuretics or furosemide can cause you to lose potassium in your urine. For this reason, these drugs are referred to as "potassium-wasting diuretics." Alcoholics may also become low in potassium due to poor nutrition and inefficient nutrient absorption. Serious cases of vomiting or diarrhea can cause potassium loss, as can laxative abuse. Anorexics and bulimics often suffer from hypokalemia. Magnesium is needed to transport potassium across cell membranes, and if you are low in magnesium, you may find yourself hypokalemic as well. Those with congestive heart failure also may suffer from potassium loss.
Effects of Potassium Loss
Hypokalemia can cause serious symptoms and effects. If you are low in potassium, you may feel tired, weak and bloated due to intestinal paralysis. Constipation and abdominal pain are among the unpleasant and uncomfortable effects of potassium depletion. When hypokalemia is severe, muscle paralysis and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias may occur.
Considerations
The recommended daily dosage of potassium for adults is 2,000 mg, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dietary sources of potassium include bananas, orange juice, milk, apricots, tuna, turkey, dry beans, cooked greens, molasses and nuts, according to the Colorado State University Extension. For safety reasons, potassium supplementation should be closely monitored by a health professional. Potassium toxicity can cause red blood cells to rupture, and can result in tissue damage and cardiac arrest.
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