A potassium blood test measures the amount of potassium in your blood. Potassium is a type of electrolyte. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help control fluid levels and the balance of acids and bases (pH balance) in your body. They also help control muscle and nerve activity and perform other important functions.
Your cells, nerves, heart, and muscles need potassium to work properly. Potassium levels that are too high or too low may be a sign of a medical problem.
Other names: potassium serum, serum potassium, serum electrolytes, K
A potassium blood test measures how much potassium is in your blood. The test is often part of a group of routine blood tests called an electrolyte panel. It may be used to monitor or diagnose conditions related to abnormal potassium levels. These conditions include kidney disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Your health care provider may order a potassium blood test as part of your regular checkup or to monitor an existing condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or adrenal gland disorders. You may also need this test if you take medicines that could affect your potassium levels or if you have symptoms of having too much or too little potassium.
If your potassium levels are too high (hyperkalemia), your symptoms may include:
Arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat)
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Nausea
Numbness or tingling
If your potassium levels are too low (hypokalemia), your symptoms may include:
Irregular heartbeat
Muscle cramps
Weak or twitching muscles
Fatigue
Nausea
Constipation
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
You don't need any special preparations for a potassium blood test or an electrolyte panel. If your provider has ordered more tests on your blood sample, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Too much potassium in the blood
(hyperkalemia). It's often the result of two or more causes. High potassium levels may be a sign of:
Kidney disease.
Your kidneys remove extra potassium from your body. Too much potassium may mean your kidneys aren't working well.
Addison disease
, a disorder of the adrenal glands
Injuries, burns, or surgery
that can cause your cells to release extra potassium into your blood
Type 1 diabetes
that is not well controlled
The side effects of certain medicines
, such as diuretics ("water pills") or antibiotics
A diet too high in potassium
(not common). Bananas, apricots, green leafy vegetables, avocados and many other foods are good sources of potassium that are part of a healthy diet. But eating very large amounts of potassium-rich foods or taking potassium supplements can lead to health problems.
Too little potassium in the blood
(hypokalemia) may be a sign of:
Use of prescription diuretics
Fluid loss
from diarrhea, vomiting, or heavy sweating
Using too many laxatives
Adrenal gland disorders
, including Cushing's syndrome and aldosteronism
Kidney disease
Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
A diet too low in potassium
(not common)
If your test results are not in the normal range, it doesn't always mean that you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements may raise your potassium levels. And eating a lot of licorice may lower your levels. But only real licorice, which comes from licorice plants, has this effect. Most licorice products sold in the U.S. don't contain any real licorice. Check the package ingredient label to be sure.
Prefer to talk to someone first? Contact us to book.
