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Potassium test

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Blood test
Blood test

Alternative Names    Return to top

Hypokalemia test; K+

Definition    Return to top

This test measures the amount of potassium in the blood. Potassium (K+) helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells.

Potassium levels in the body are mainly controlled by the hormone aldosterone.

See also: Aldosterone test

How the Test is Performed    Return to top

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to swell with blood.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an airtight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

How to Prepare for the Test    Return to top

The health care provider may tell you to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test.

Drugs that can increase potassium measurements include:

Drugs that can decrease potassium measurements include:

The following factors can interfere with the test:

How the Test Will Feel    Return to top

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the Test is Performed    Return to top

This test is routinely done as part of an electrolyte level test.

Your doctor may order this test to diagnose or monitor kidney disease. The most common cause of high potassium levels is kidney disease.

Because potassium is important to heart function, your doctor may order this test if you have signs of high blood pressure or heart problems. Small changes in potassium levels can have a big effect on the activity of nerves and muscles, especially the heart. Low levels of potassium cause increased heart muscle activity, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat. High levels cause decreased heart muscle activity. Either situation can lead to a heart attack in some cases.

It may also be done if your doctor suspects metabolic acidosis (for example, caused by uncontrolled diabetes) or alkalosis (for example, caused by excess vomiting).

Occasionally, the potassium test may be done in persons who are having an attack of paralysis.

Normal Results    Return to top

The normal range is 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L.

Note: mEq/L = milliequivalent per liter

What Abnormal Results Mean    Return to top

High levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) may be due to:

Low levels of potassium (hypokalemia) may be due to:

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

Risks    Return to top

Risks associated with venipuncture are slight:

Considerations    Return to top

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

If puncturing the vein is difficult, injury to the red blood cells may cause potassium to be released from them, causing a falsely high result.

Update Date: 5/15/2007

Updated by: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nephrology, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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