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Potassium (K) in Blood

(continued)

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

Taking potassium supplements.
Taking medicines, such as antibiotics that contain potassium (such as a type of penicillin g), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), heparin, insulin, glucose, corticosteroids, diuretics, medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, and natural licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).
The overuse of laxatives.
Severe vomiting.

What To Think About

Low blood potassium values are more common than high blood potassium values.
An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) may show signs of a very high or very low blood potassium level because of the effect potassium has on the heart. For more information, see the topic Electrocardiogram.
Other electrolyte tests, such as sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine, are often done at the same time as a test for potassium. For more information, see the topics Sodium (Na) in Blood, Calcium (Ca) in Blood, Chloride (Cl), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphate, Blood Urea Nitrogen, and Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance.

Other Works Consulted
Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders.
Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
Last Revised	September 1, 2010

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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: September 01, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.