Potassium is the primary electrolyte within the cell. Damaged cells release potassium into the circulation.
Potassium plays a crucial role in:
Acid-base balance
Nerve conduction
Muscle contraction
Potassium levels may rise in the presence of:
Renal failure
Any cell damage (trauma, burn, chemotherapy)
Acidosis
Addison's disease
IV Potassium Penicillin administration
Potassium levels may fall in the presence of:
Diarrhea
Diuretics
Renal disease
Malnutrition
Severe burns
Ascites
Normal Values*
Men
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
3.5-5.0 mmol/L
Women
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
3.5-5.0 mmol/L
Pregnancy
3.3-4.1 mEq/L
3.3-4.1 mmol/L
Potassium levels less than 2.6 or greater than 6.4 are associated with potentially fatal cardiac arrythmias
*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.
