Potassium ionized K | Laboratory research

Possible interpretation of the results

Potassium concentration increases:

• Decreased excretion of potassium by the kidneys: acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, oliguria, anuria;
• Diseases associated with cell damage: hemolysis of erythrocytes, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, burns, severe muscle damage, rhabdomyolysis, tissue hypoxia, tumor lysis syndrome;
• Massive parenteral administration of potassium;
• Severe metabolic acidosis and shock;
• Dehydration;
• Chronic adrenal insufficiency (hypoaldosteronism);
• Diabetic coma prior to insulin therapy, decompensated diabetes mellitus;
• Pseudohypoaldosteronism;
• Thrombocytosis in some chronic myeloproliferative syndromes;
• Intake of potassium-sparing diuretics.

Potassium concentration decreases:

• Decreased K + excretion and metabolic acidosis or alkalosis (extrarenal K + loss): diarrhea, vomiting, fistulas, laxatives, profuse sweating, severe burns;
• Decreased K + excretion without metabolic acidosis or alkalosis: parenteral therapy without potassium supplementation, fasting, anorexia, malabsorption, chronic alcoholism, treatment of anemia with iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid;
• Increased K + excretion and metabolic acidosis: renal tubular, diabetic or alcoholic ketoacidosis;
• Increased excretion of K + and normal pH level (usually of renal origin): healing process of obstructive nephropathy, hypomagnesemia, periodic hypokalemic paralysis, monocytic leukemia;
• Congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal gland (associated with metabolic alkalosis);
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• Intense physical activity;
• Glucose injections associated with increased insulin levels;
• Stress;
• Decrease in body temperature.