0
This test measures the amount of potassium in the blood. Potassium (K+) helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells.
Potassium levels in the body are mainly controlled by the hormone aldosterone.
See also: Aldosterone test
Alternative NamesHypokalemia test; K+
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testThe health care provider may tell you to stop taking any drugs that may affect the test.
Drugs that can increase potassium measurements include:
- Aminocaproic acid
- Antineoplastic drugs
- ACE inhibitors
- Certain diuretics
- Epinephrine
- Heparin
- Histamine
- Isoniazid
- Mannitol
- Succinylcholine
Drugs that can decrease potassium measurements include:
- Acetazolamide
- Aminosalicylic acid
- Amphotericin B
- Carbenicillin
- Cisplatin
- Certain diuretics
- Insulin
- Laxatives
- Penicillin G
- Phenothiazines
- Salicylates
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
The following factors can interfere with the test:
- Infusion of potassium-containing fluids
- Infusion of glucose or insulin
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test is routinely done as part of an electrolyte level test.
Your doctor may order this test to diagnose or monitor kidney disease. The most common cause of high potassium levels is kidney disease.
Because potassium is important to heart function, your doctor may order this test if you have signs of high blood pressure or heart problems. Small changes in potassium levels can have a big effect on the activity of nerves and muscles, especially the heart. Low levels of potassium cause increased heart muscle activity, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat. High levels cause decreased heart muscle activity. Either situation can lead to a heart attack in some cases.
It may also be done if your doctor suspects metabolic acidosis (for example, caused by uncontrolled Diabetes) or alkalosis (for example, caused by excess vomiting).
Occasionally, the potassium test may be done in persons who are having an attack of paralysis.
Normal ValuesThe normal range is 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L.
Note: mEq/L = milliequivalent per liter
What abnormal results meanHigh levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) may be due to:
- Addison's disease (rare)
- Blood transfusion
- Crushed tissue injury
- Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis
- Hypoaldosteronism (very rare)
- Kidney failure
- Metabolic or respiratory acidosis
- Red blood cell destruction
Low levels of potassium (hypokalemia) may be due to:
- Chronic diarrhea or use of laxatives
- Cushing syndrome (rare)
- Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, and indapamide
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Hypokalemic periodic paralysis
- Not enough potassium in the diet
- Renal artery stenosis
- Renal tubular acidosis (rare)
- Vomiting
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
- Acute adrenal crisis
- Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy
- Acute nephritic syndrome
- Bulimia
- Chronic kidney failure
- Cushing's disease
- Cushing syndrome caused by adrenal tumor
- Cushing syndrome - exogenous
- Cushing syndrome - ectopic
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Primary thrombocythemia
- Renal tubular acidosis - distal
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis
There is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
If it is difficult to get the needle into the vein to take the blood sample, injury to the red blood cells may cause potassium to be released, causing a falsely high result.
ReferencesSeifter JL. Potassium disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 118.
What else can I help you with?
A test that can be used to determine whether a solution has potassium sulfate?
To determine if a solution contains potassium sulfate, you can perform a flame test. When a sample of the solution is heated in a flame, the potassium ions will emit a lilac flame color, which is characteristic of potassium compounds. This can help confirm the presence of potassium sulfate in the solution.
What colour flame test do sodium sulphate and potassium chloride give?
well , the colour of potassium chloride is a lilac colour :) hope this helps
What metal burns with a lilac flame?
Potassium has a violet color in the flame test.
Would taking loperamide make your Potassium level increase on a blood test?
Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal medicine. The drug itself is not related to an increase in potassium on a blood test. However, having diarrhea can cause you to lose potassium and other minerals. So that a blood test taken before the drug is used can show a low potassium level. When the diarrhea stops, the potassium level will increase.
Can you test for fluoride in mouth rinses with potassium nitrate?
No, potassium nitrate cannot be used to directly test for fluoride in mouth rinses. To test for fluoride in mouth rinses, you would typically need to use a fluoride ion-selective electrode or a fluoride colorimetric test kit designed specifically for determining fluoride levels. Potassium nitrate is not suitable for this purpose.
How do you test for potassium ions?
Flame test
Which metal reacts with water and burns with a lilac flame?
Potassium has a violet color in the flame test.
Do you need to fast for a potassium test?
no
A test that can be used to determine whether a solution has potassium sulfate?
To determine if a solution contains potassium sulfate, you can perform a flame test. When a sample of the solution is heated in a flame, the potassium ions will emit a lilac flame color, which is characteristic of potassium compounds. This can help confirm the presence of potassium sulfate in the solution.
What colour flame test do sodium sulphate and potassium chloride give?
well , the colour of potassium chloride is a lilac colour :) hope this helps
What metal burns with a lilac flame?
Potassium has a violet color in the flame test.
Will potassium gluconate make you test positive for meth on your drug test?
yes
Can you use sodium bisulfide instead of potassium bisulfide in acrolein test?
The Acrolein Test uses Potassium BiSulfate (KHSO4), not Potassium Bisulfide (KHS). It is the BiSulfate ion that does the work, so the Sodium salt should work. You should always test your reagents with glycerine.
Is fasting necessary for potassium level test?
I think it is necessary because almost all foods contain potassium.
Would taking loperamide make your Potassium level increase on a blood test?
Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal medicine. The drug itself is not related to an increase in potassium on a blood test. However, having diarrhea can cause you to lose potassium and other minerals. So that a blood test taken before the drug is used can show a low potassium level. When the diarrhea stops, the potassium level will increase.
Do you need to fast before a potassium blood test?
yes
What does blood test for potassium and sodium identify?
electrolyte imbalance
