Potassium is important for regulating water balance, nerves, and muscles. Fluctuations can be caused by kidney disease, vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms of abnormal levels include muscle weakness, dehydration, and heart rhythm problems. Blood tests can detect problems, but medications and supplements can affect results. Fluctuations can cause permanent heart damage, so it’s important to see a GP if levels are not correct.
Potassium levels are important for a variety of reasons. Potassium is both an electrolyte and a mineral and helps regulate the mineral water balance in the body and the function of nerves and muscles. Potassium is closely related to sodium levels. As sodium levels in the body increase, potassium decreases. When sodium levels go down, potassium goes up.
Aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, also affects the level of potassium in the body. Another factor that can contribute to fluctuations in potassium levels is kidney disease. Some kidney conditions can impair the ability of the kidneys to regulate potassium. Finally, illnesses that lead to extreme vomiting or diarrhea, such as the flu or food poisoning, can change potassium levels.
The signs of too much or not enough potassium in the body are similar. Abnormal levels of potassium can lead to muscle weakness and cramps, frequent urination, dehydration, drop in blood pressure, confusion and heart rhythm problems. Low potassium levels are more common than high levels.
Your GP can check your potassium levels through a simple blood test. While the chance of side effects from the blood test is small, some people experience bruising at the test site or phlebitis. Phlebitis is a condition in which the vein used to draw blood swells after the procedure. Phlebitis can be uncomfortable, but it’s easily treated with warm compresses.
If you take blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, aspirin, or blood pressure medicines, it’s important to mention this to the person taking the blood test. These drugs increase the time it takes for blood to clot after a blood test. Depending on the reason for the medications, your doctor may recommend that you stop using them for several days before the procedure.
Some medications can have an effect on the test result. To get an accurate assessment of potassium levels, tell the person completing your lab whether you are taking potassium supplements, antibiotics, heparin, insulin, glucose, or steroids. Medications for high blood pressure and heart disease can also affect the outcome of this blood test. Finally, if you regularly take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or over-the-counter laxatives, it’s important to make sure this is noted with your blood test.
Low or high potassium can be a sign of a serious health condition or a passing medical problem. Regardless of the reason for the fluctuations in potassium levels, they can cause permanent damage to the heart. If you feel your levels are not in the correct range, a visit to your GP is in order. Blood work that detects problems with potassium is readily available, and the results are usually available the next day.
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