Therefore, the kidneys … A decrease in blood sodium concentration, also called hyponatremia, can cause seizures, while low potassium levels in the bloodstream, or hypokalemia, can lead to heart problems. Other hypokalemia symptoms include fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, and constipation. Have you ever noticed your heart suddenly beating harder, faster or skipping a … Potassium is a vital mineral that aids in nerve function, including the nerves that control heart rhythm. Low potassium, known medically as hypokalemia, can be detected with blood and urine tests. The most common cause is excessive potassium loss in urine due to prescription medications that increase urination. This article explains what causes low potassium, symptoms you can get from low blood potassium, and the fastest way to fix it. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. It may be because too much potassium is leaving through your digestive tract. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/81390. Many things can cause low blood potassium. The most common cause is excess loss from the kidneys or gastrointestinal tract. For example: When your hypokalemia is a result of another medical condition, your doctor will help you treat that. The kidneys remove excess potassium through the urinary system to keep a proper balance of the mineral in the body. This article explains what causes low potassium, symptoms you can get from low blood potassium… It also helps keep your blood pressure from getting too high. It’s usually a symptom of another problem. Potassium is an essential nutrient that the body requires for a wide range of functions, including keeping the heart beating. In some cases it’s necessary to get your potassium injected by IV. There are two ways that digestive issues can cause electrolyte imbalances. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It’s especially important for cells in your heart. If you have hypokalemia, that means you have low levels of potassium in your blood. The most common reason for low potassium levels is not a decrease in intake but rather and excessive loss of potassium through vomiting, diarrhea, laxative use, and following certain surgical procedures to … You may take a urine test so your doctor can find out if you’re losing potassium when you pee. Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. The body needs potassium for the contraction of muscles (including the heart), and for the functioning of many complicated proteins (enzymes). Most people will never experience potassium levels that low, but some people face a higher risk than others of developing low potassium … Mayo Clinic facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Our COVID-19 patient and visitor guidelines, plus trusted health information, Mayo Clinic Health System patient vaccination updates. Low levels have many causes. You will need a blood test for your doctor to find out if you have hypokalemia. Mount DB, et al. The most common reason that potassium levels fall is due to the loss from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the kidney. Hypokalemia is a metabolic imbalance characterized by extremely low potassium levels in the blood. Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium in the blood serum. Sometimes that makes the condition go away. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Low levels are occasionally caused by poor diet, but more often by loss of potassium because of vomiting, diarrhea, use of certain prescription medications including diuretics (also known … Potassium is the main compound that interacts with sodium to perform a number of important functions every single day, especially balancing fluids and mineral levels within the body. Hypokalemia. Consequently, potassium levels fall and hypokalemia occurs. In severe cases, muscle weakness can lead to paralysis and possibly respiratory failure. Always check with your doctor before you stop any medicine. Diuretics. This content does not have an Arabic version. It is a symptom of another disease or condition, or a side effect of diuretic drugs. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine_and_metabolic_disorders/electrolyte_disorders/hypokalemia.html. There are many different reasons you could have low potassium levels. Diuretics like furosemide, bumetanide, hydrochlorothiazide, and chlorthalidone are the main medication-related cause of low potassium levels. Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium in your blood. In: Emergency Medicine: Clinical Essentials. You're weak and tired. Clinical features include muscle weakness and polyuria; cardiac hyperexcitability may occur with severe hypokalemia. © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. In fact, low potassium or hypokalemia can turn out to be fatal at times, and therefore it is very important to monitor potassium … They’ll want to know if you’ve had any illness that involved vomiting or diarrhea. Instead, it is often a result of a problem with the kidneys which are responsible for regulating potassium … Symptoms may include feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, and constipation. If you are experiencing signs of potassium deficiency, like muscle twitching, cramping, … Mild low potassium does not typically cause symptoms. Which medications can lower potassium levels? Schedule your appointment now for safe in-person care. According to MedlinePlus, hypomagnesemia -- low levels of … Accessed April 5, 2017. They’re typically unable to regulate potassium efficiently. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Adams JG. Illness and other medications may also … Since low potassium sometimes can affect your blood pressure, your doctor will check that, too. Causes of hypokalemia in adults. Electrolyte imbalances are more common in older people and in people … It is a symptom of another disease or condition, or a side effect of diuretic drugs. Potassium is usually plentiful in our diets, meaning that a lack of potassium intake is rarely the cause for a potassium deficiency. In this disorder, aldosterone levels are low. They’ll ask about any conditions you might have that could be causing it. But if you've been getting plenty of sleep and still not feeling right, examine what you eat. Causes of hypokalemia include vomiting, diarrhea, … © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Low levels of potassium in your blood is called hypokalemia, and low levels of calcium in your blood is called hypocalcemia. Most commonly, you get hypokalemia when: It’s possible, but rare, to get hypokalemia from having too little potassium in your diet. They also may want to do an electrocardiogram (EKG) if they think you may have arrhythmia. Potassium helps carry electrical signals to cells in your body. Use of water pills (diuretics), diarrhea, and chronic laxative abuse are the most common causes of low potassium levels. Low potassium (hypokalemia) has many causes. This might cause too much potassium to build up in your system, which could lead to hyperkalemia. Steps to Take, Laxatives taken over a long period of time, If your potassium level is dangerously low, If your low potassium levels cause abnormal heart rhythms.