An ECG in a person with a potassium level of 1.1 meq/L showing the classical changes of ST segment depression, inverted T waves, large U waves, and a slightly prolonged PR interval.
Specialty
Critical care medicine
Symptoms
Feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, constipation, abnormal heart rhythm[1]
Complications
Cardiac arrest[1]
Causes
Diarrhea, medications like furosemide and steroids, dialysis, diabetes insipidus, hyperaldosteronism, hypomagnesemia, not enough intake in the diet[1]
Diagnostic method
Blood potassium < 3.5 mmol/L[1][2]
Treatment
Dietary changes, potassium supplements, based on the underlying cause[3]
Frequency
20% of people admitted to hospital[4]
Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium (K+) in the blood serum.[1] Mild low potassium does not typically cause symptoms.[3] Symptoms may include feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, and constipation.[1] Low potassium also increases the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, which is often too slow and can cause cardiac arrest.[1][3]
Causes of hypokalemia include vomiting, diarrhea, medications like furosemide and steroids, dialysis, diabetes insipidus, hyperaldosteronism, hypomagnesemia, and not enough intake in the diet.[1] Normal potassium levels in humans are between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L (3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L) with levels below 3.5 mmol/L defined as hypokalemia.[1][2] It is classified as severe when levels are less than 2.5 mmol/L.[1] Low levels may also be suspected based on an electrocardiogram (ECG).[1] The opposite state is called hyperkalemia that means high level of potassium in the blood serum.[1]
The speed at which potassium should be replaced depends on whether or not there are symptoms or abnormalities on an electrocardiogram.[1] Potassium levels that are only slightly below the normal range can be managed with changes in the diet.[3] Lower levels of potassium require replacement with supplements either taken by mouth or given intravenously.[3] If given intravenously, potassium is generally replaced at rates of less than 20 mmol/hour.[1] Solutions containing high concentrations of potassium (>40 mmol/L) should generally be given using a central venous catheter.[3] Magnesium replacement may also be required.[1]
Hypokalemia is one of the most common water–electrolyte imbalances.[4] It affects about 20% of people admitted to hospital.[4] The word hypokalemia comes from hypo- 'under' + kalium 'potassium' + -emia 'blood condition'.[5]
^ abcdefghijklmnoSoar J, Perkins GD, Abbas G, Alfonzo A, Barelli A, Bierens JJ, Brugger H, Deakin CD, Dunning J, Georgiou M, Handley AJ, Lockey DJ, Paal P, Sandroni C, Thies KC, Zideman DA, Nolan JP (October 2010). "European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2010 Section 8. Cardiac arrest in special circumstances: Electrolyte abnormalities, poisoning, drowning, accidental hypothermia, hyperthermia, asthma, anaphylaxis, cardiac surgery, trauma, pregnancy, electrocution". Resuscitation. 81 (10): 1400–33. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.08.015. PMID 20956045.
^ abPathy MJ (2006). "Appendix 1: Conversion of SI Units to Standard Units". Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine. Vol. 2 (4. ed.). Chichester: Wiley. p. Appendix. doi:10.1002/047009057X.app01. ISBN 978-0-470-09055-8.
^ abcdefZieg J, Gonsorcikova L, Landau D (July 2016). "Current views on the diagnosis and management of hypokalaemia in children". Acta Paediatrica. 105 (7): 762–72. doi:10.1111/apa.13398. PMID 26972906. S2CID 19579505.
^ abcMarx J, Walls R, Hockberger R (2013). Rosen's Emergency Medicine - Concepts and Clinical Practice (8 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 1639. ISBN 978-1-4557-4987-4. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15.
^Herlihy B (2014). The Human Body in Health and Illness. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 487. ISBN 978-1-4557-5642-1. Archived from the original on 2016-10-01.
Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium (K+) in the blood serum. Mild low potassium does not typically cause symptoms. Symptoms may include feeling tired...
by the kidneys. Common side effects of furosemide injection include hypokalemia (low potassium level), hypotension (low blood pressure), and dizziness...
be confirmed after eliminating other common pathological sources of hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. A complete metabolic panel (CMP) or basic metabolic...
mild hypokalemia. Stage 2 is characterized with symptoms and mild hypokalemia. Stage 3 is characterized by only moderate to severe hypokalemia. Cytokines...
glands, which can lead to lowered levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia) and increased hydrogen ion excretion (alkalosis). This cause of mineralocorticoid...
may manifest as unexplained hypertension, low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia), and muscle weakness in individuals. Consuming liquorice should be avoided...
syndrome of profound and chronic watery diarrhea and resultant dehydration, hypokalemia, achlorhydria, acidosis, flushing and hypotension (from vasodilation)...
humans. Emaciation is often accompanied by halitosis, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, anemia, improper function of lymph and the lymphatic system, and pleurisy...
is typically associated with other electrolyte abnormalities, such as hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. For this reason, there may be overlap in symptoms seen...
state. In states of hypokalemia (a state of potassium deficiency), concurrent magnesium deficiency results in a state of hypokalemia that may be more difficult...
Digitalis use may increase the risk that hypokalemia will produce life-threatening arrhythmias. Hypokalemia is especially dangerous in patients with ischemic...
reclaimed by the cell, leading to acidemia (as H+ builds up in the body) and hypokalemia (as K+ cannot be reabsorbed by the alpha cell).[citation needed] This...
consumption. The main adverse effects of diuretics are hypovolemia, hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, metabolic alkalosis, metabolic acidosis...
nasogastric suction tubes. Severe vomiting also causes loss of potassium (hypokalemia) and sodium (hyponatremia). The kidneys compensate for these losses by...
ischemia and myocardial infarction), and electrolyte disturbances, such as hypokalemia. Traditionally, "ECG" usually means a 12-lead ECG taken while lying down...
a change in the osmolality of the extracellular fluids of the body, hypokalemia, decreased blood volume (as occurs during major hemorrhage), and other...
Pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) is a condition that mimics hypoaldosteronism. Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1) is characterized by the body's inability...
and may warrant surgery without further investigations. Leukocytosis, hypokalemia, hypernatremia, and acidosis may be present, but they are not specific...
ascending limb of the loop of Henle, which results in low potassium levels (hypokalemia), increased blood pH (alkalosis), and normal to low blood pressure. There...
HCO− 3 and CO 2 and increased blood pH) and often hypokalemia (potassium depletion). The hypokalemia is an indirect result of the kidney compensating for...
in body fluids may cause a potentially fatal condition known as hypokalemia. Hypokalemia typically results from loss of potassium through diarrhea, diuresis...
vagal tone, medications that slow the AV node such as beta-blockers, hypokalemia, acute rheumatic fever, or carditis associated with Lyme disease. A short...
aminophylline Chemical (electrolyte) abnormalities in the blood (for example hypokalemia (low blood potassium), which can occur in those taking diuretics ("water...
to oxacillin, although one retrospective study found greater rates of hypokalemia and acute kidney injury in patients taking nafcillin compared to patients...
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