Potassium

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Potassium

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
Women	3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Pregnancy	3.3-4.1 mEq/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.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

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