Potassium Blood Test – Checking Potassium Levels in the Bloodstream
Potassium makes for one of the most important electrolytes that helps in the proper and smooth functionality of the muscles and the nervous system. Even the slightest of increase or decrease in the level of this vital electrolyte can cause the onset of many fatal problems. A potassium blood test aids in the measurement of potassium in the bloodstream and determining whether or not it’s in its normal values.
What does the test reveal?
A potassium blood test often makes a part of the normal metabolic panel. It is ordered to study the below mentioned conditions.
• Monitoring the imbalance of the electrolyte
• Checking the effect of certain medications on potassium levels
• Detecting a heart related issues along with hypertension
• Checking and monitoring kidney diseases
• Analyzing the functionality of acidosis
• Finding the exact cause of a paralytic attack in an individual
How is a Potassium Blood Test Performed?
A potassium blood test is a simple test wherein a technician extracts a sample of blood from one of the veins of the body of the patient. The blood drawn is collected in a special test tube which is carefully labelled and then sent to the laboratory for testing and analysis. The entire process takes about ten minutes, at max and can be performed at a clinical centre or at the comfort of a patient’s home as well.
What do the Test Results Indicate?
Lab technicians suggest that normal potassium level usually ranges between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter. However, this is just a speculative range as different labs make use of different testing techniques. This means that the normal range may slightly differ from one pathology lab to another.
The amount of potassium in the bloodstream is so low that even the slightest of deviation causes the onset of a problem.
Higher than normal levels of potassium in a potassium blood test, 7 millimoles per liter or above, suggest the following conditions:-
• Intake of high potassium diet
• Medications that cause the potassium levels to increase
• Due to blood transfusion
• Destruction of RBCs because of a severe injury
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Infection
• Respiratory acidosis
• Failure of one or both kidneys
• Metabolic acidosis
• Hyperaldosteronism
• Addison’s disease
On the other hand, lower than usual levels propose the conditions:-
• Deficiency of potassium in diet
• Chronic diarrhea
• Usage of diuretics
• Folic acid deficiency
• Certain medications that drain potassium off
• Excess sweating
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Hyperaldosteronism
• Cushing’s syndrome, etc.
In both the cases, immediate care is recommended. For a delay can cause the onset of many problems in the body.
What does the test reveal?
A potassium blood test often makes a part of the normal metabolic panel. It is ordered to study the below mentioned conditions.
• Monitoring the imbalance of the electrolyte
• Checking the effect of certain medications on potassium levels
• Detecting a heart related issues along with hypertension
• Checking and monitoring kidney diseases
• Analyzing the functionality of acidosis
• Finding the exact cause of a paralytic attack in an individual
How is a Potassium Blood Test Performed?
A potassium blood test is a simple test wherein a technician extracts a sample of blood from one of the veins of the body of the patient. The blood drawn is collected in a special test tube which is carefully labelled and then sent to the laboratory for testing and analysis. The entire process takes about ten minutes, at max and can be performed at a clinical centre or at the comfort of a patient’s home as well.
What do the Test Results Indicate?
Lab technicians suggest that normal potassium level usually ranges between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter. However, this is just a speculative range as different labs make use of different testing techniques. This means that the normal range may slightly differ from one pathology lab to another.
The amount of potassium in the bloodstream is so low that even the slightest of deviation causes the onset of a problem.
Higher than normal levels of potassium in a potassium blood test, 7 millimoles per liter or above, suggest the following conditions:-
• Intake of high potassium diet
• Medications that cause the potassium levels to increase
• Due to blood transfusion
• Destruction of RBCs because of a severe injury
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Infection
• Respiratory acidosis
• Failure of one or both kidneys
• Metabolic acidosis
• Hyperaldosteronism
• Addison’s disease
On the other hand, lower than usual levels propose the conditions:-
• Deficiency of potassium in diet
• Chronic diarrhea
• Usage of diuretics
• Folic acid deficiency
• Certain medications that drain potassium off
• Excess sweating
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Hyperaldosteronism
• Cushing’s syndrome, etc.
In both the cases, immediate care is recommended. For a delay can cause the onset of many problems in the body.
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