Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesFoods Rich in PotassiumTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Foods Rich in Potassium
Treatment
Complications
Diagnosis
When to Seek Care
Knowing the symptoms of low potassium, orhypokalemia, may allow you to recognize a potassium deficiency if you develop one.Potassiumis a mineral needed in small amounts for cell, nerve, and muscle function. Under normal circumstances, your body will automatically control potassium levels in your blood.
Low potassium can have many causes that result in mild to severe symptoms. Among the most frequent causes are certain medications and medical conditions, including gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.While low potassium usually is not dangerous, severely low levels can cause serious complications that can affect yournervous system,digestive system, and heart.
This article discusses the symptoms, possible causes,diagnostic tests, andtreatment strategiesfor low potassium. It also covers when to seek medical treatment for your symptoms.
Potassium impacts your blood pressure.Image Source/Getty Images
Symptoms of Low Potassium
In mild cases of low potassium, you may not have any symptoms. If you do, the symptoms of low potassium in these cases are usually mild to moderate and may include:
In more severe cases, low potassium may causecardiacarrhythmia(abnormal heart rhythms), especially in people with heart disease. This could lead to lightheadedness or fainting. Very low potassium can be dangerous and may cause the heart to stop.
Causes of Low Potassium
Common causes of low potassium include the use ofdiuretics, chronic diarrhea, and frequent vomiting. Insufficient intake, excessive losses, or transcellular shifts can all lead to low potassium levels.
Low Potassium Due to Diet and Medical Conditions
Low potassium can also occur due to transcellular shift, in which your cells take too much potassium from the bloodstream.
Aside from medications, some of the most common causes of low potassium include:
Low Potassium Due to Medications
Low potassium levels are often associated with the use of certain medications. Diuretics, also known as water pills, are one of the most common classes of medications that can lead to low potassium. Diuretics treat many conditions, includinghigh blood pressure,congestive heart failure, andpulmonary edema.
Diuretics help remove excess fluid from the body and increase urine flow. Potassium is also released through urine, so diuretics may sometimes cause too much potassium to leave the body.
Other medications that can cause low potassium include:
Eating morefoods high in potassiumcan also help treat and prevent low potassium levels, though in many cases, you may not get enough from diet alone. Foods that are high in potassium include the folliwng:
How to Treat Low Potassium
If you are experiencing symptoms of low potassium, talk to your healthcare provider. Low potassium should not be self-treated and usually requires a medical test to determine severity.
Treatments for low potassium aim to increase potassium levels and resolve the underlying causes. They include oral potassium supplements and intravenous (IV) potassium.
Your healthcare provider will determine which supplementation is appropriate for you based on your levels and medical history. Eating potassium-rich foods may help improve your levels but is not usually enough to treat low potassium on its own.
Oral Potassium Supplements
Intravenous Potassium
In severe cases, you may need to receive intravenous (IV) potassium in the hospital.This treatment raises levels much quicker than oral potassium supplementation but also carries a risk of inducinghyperkalemia, a condition in which potassium levels get too high.
Complications From Low Potassium
Though mild low potassium is not dangerous and can easily be treated with oral potassium supplementation, severely low potassium levels can cause serious complications. Severe cases of low potassium can cause life-threatening heart failure,paralysis, andrespiratory failure.
If you have a heart condition such ascardiacischemia, heart failure, or left ventricular hypertrophy, low potassium levels are more likely to cause further cardiac problems. If this is the case, contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are experiencing any symptoms.
Diagnosing Potassium Defficiency
Low potassium is diagnosed through a basicbiochemical lab panel, which tests potassium levels in your blood and other compounds such as sodium, glucose, chloride, bicarbonate, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), andcreatinine. If the reason for your low potassium is unclear, additional tests may be needed to determine the underlying cause.
To explain the cause of your low potassium, your healthcare provider may order the following tests:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Consult a healthcare provider to help assess your symptoms and determine if you have low potassium levels if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
Talk to a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms of low potassium.
Very low potassium can lead toheart failure, especially in those with underlying heart conditions. If you are experiencing symptoms such as abnormal heart rhythm, palpitations, or chest pain, seek medical care right away.
Summary
Low potassium (hypokalemia) symptoms depend on the severity of your case. Mild low potassium may show no symptoms, while more severe low potassium symptoms can include serious heart and neuromuscular complications. Many conditions and medications may cause low potassium, usually due to the body excreting too much potassium from your gastrointestinal tract or kidneys or causing a transcellular shift.
If you are experiencing symptoms of low potassium, seek medical care so a provider can test your blood levels. If your potassium levels are low, potassium supplementation with oral pills or intravenous infusion is the most common treatment. A diet that includes potassium-rich foods can help improve your potassium levels, but food alone is not usually sufficient to treat hypokalemia.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hirsch TM, Braun D.Hypokalemia.JAAPA. 2021;34(1):50-51. doi:10.1097/01.jaa.0000723960.54308.e9MedlinePlus.Low blood potassium.Kardalas E, Paschou SA, Anagnostis P, et al.Hypokalemia: a clinical update.Endocr Connect. 2018;7(4):R135-R146. doi:10.1530/EC-18-0109Veltri KT, Mason C.Medication-induced hypokalemia.P T. 2015;40(3):185-190.Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Food sources of potassium.Viera AJ, Wouk N.Potassium disorders: hypokalemia and hyperkalemia.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):487-495.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hirsch TM, Braun D.Hypokalemia.JAAPA. 2021;34(1):50-51. doi:10.1097/01.jaa.0000723960.54308.e9MedlinePlus.Low blood potassium.Kardalas E, Paschou SA, Anagnostis P, et al.Hypokalemia: a clinical update.Endocr Connect. 2018;7(4):R135-R146. doi:10.1530/EC-18-0109Veltri KT, Mason C.Medication-induced hypokalemia.P T. 2015;40(3):185-190.Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Food sources of potassium.Viera AJ, Wouk N.Potassium disorders: hypokalemia and hyperkalemia.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):487-495.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hirsch TM, Braun D.Hypokalemia.JAAPA. 2021;34(1):50-51. doi:10.1097/01.jaa.0000723960.54308.e9MedlinePlus.Low blood potassium.Kardalas E, Paschou SA, Anagnostis P, et al.Hypokalemia: a clinical update.Endocr Connect. 2018;7(4):R135-R146. doi:10.1530/EC-18-0109Veltri KT, Mason C.Medication-induced hypokalemia.P T. 2015;40(3):185-190.Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Food sources of potassium.Viera AJ, Wouk N.Potassium disorders: hypokalemia and hyperkalemia.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):487-495.
Hirsch TM, Braun D.Hypokalemia.JAAPA. 2021;34(1):50-51. doi:10.1097/01.jaa.0000723960.54308.e9
MedlinePlus.Low blood potassium.
Kardalas E, Paschou SA, Anagnostis P, et al.Hypokalemia: a clinical update.Endocr Connect. 2018;7(4):R135-R146. doi:10.1530/EC-18-0109
Veltri KT, Mason C.Medication-induced hypokalemia.P T. 2015;40(3):185-190.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Food sources of potassium.
Viera AJ, Wouk N.Potassium disorders: hypokalemia and hyperkalemia.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(6):487-495.
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