Potassium (K) in Blood

Blood Potassium

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 medical test Electrocardiogram.
• If blood potassium levels are low, the level of potassium in the urine may be checked to see whether large amounts of potassium are being passed by the kidneys. For more information, see the medical test Potassium (K) in Urine.
• 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 medical tests Sodium (Na) in Blood, Calcium (Ca) in Blood, Chloride (Cl), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphate, Blood Urea Nitrogen, and Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance.

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Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: September 18, 2008
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
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