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Hypokalemia - Symptom

Alternative Names

Potassium - low; Low blood potassium

Symptoms:

A small drop in potassium usually doesn't cause symptoms. However, a big drop in the level can be life threatening.

Symptoms of hypokalemia include:

Abnormal heart rhythms (dysrhythmias), especially in people with heart disease
Breakdown of muscle fibers (rhabdomyolysis)
Constipation
Fatigue
Muscle weakness or spasms
Paralysis (which can include the lungs)

Signs and tests:

Your health care provider will take a sample of your blood to check potassium levels.

Other tests might include:

Arterial blood gas
BUN and creatinine
Electrocardiogram
Glucose, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, thyroxine, or aldosterone

Blood test

Reviewed last on: 9/12/2007
Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, and physician in the Primary Care Clinic, Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Schaefer TJ, Wolford RW. Disorders of potassium. Emerg Med Clin North Am. August 2005;23:723-747.

Lafrance JP, Leblanc M. Metabolic, electrolytes, and nutritional concerns in critical illness. Crit Care Clin. April 2005;21:305-327.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders, 2003.

Fukagawa M, Kurokawa K, Papadakis M. Fluid and electrolyte disorders. In Gonzales R, Ziegler R, eds. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2007. New York, NY:McGraw-Hill, 2006.

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