There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Show From Mayo Clinic to your inboxSign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data.To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Potassium is a nutrient in food that helps your body run smoothly. Too much potassium in your body can cause health problems, but a simple blood test can measure your levels. Potassium plays a role in letting your muscles and nerves signal each other, keeps fluid levels balanced in your body, and helps you have a regular heartbeat. Your potassium levels might get high if your kidneys aren't working well. A normal blood potassium level for adults is between 3.5 and 5.5 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A potassium level above 5.5 mmol/L is high. Above 6.5 mmol/L is dangerously high and means you need medical care right away. Symptoms of High PotassiumYou often don't notice any symptoms from high potassium levels. You might first learn about it when you get the results of a routine blood test. If you do get symptoms, they may come and go and might include:
Check with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, especially if you have kidney disease or take a medication that can raise your potassium level. Blood Test for High PotassiumYour doctor will check your potassium level during your annual physical exam. If you have a health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease, they may test your potassium level more regularly. They will also see if you have symptoms of high potassium, high blood pressure, or signs of a heart problem. To check for high potassium, you get a blood test which measures the amount of potassium in your blood. The doctor puts a small needle into a vein in your arm and takes out a small amount of blood. You might feel a slight pinch or sting when the needle goes in. Your doctor sends the blood sample to a lab, where technicians test the level of potassium in the liquid part of your blood (serum). Your doctor will let you know the results. It's not uncommon to have a false high potassium test result, which happens when blood cells rupture during the blood draw. They leak more potassium into your blood, making it seem like your level is high. Your doctor may repeat the test before treating you for high potassium. If your doctor is concerned that you may be having a problem with your heart, they may also ask you to get a test called an electrocardiogram (EKG) to see if your heart is beating normally. © 2022 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. SOURCES: American Association of Kidney Patients: "High Potassium (Hyperkalemia) Information." Medline Plus: "Potassium Blood Test." American Kidney Fund: "What is High Potassium or Hyperkalemia?" Cleveland Clinic: "Hyperkalemia: High Potassium," "High Potassium (hyperkalemia): Diagnosis and Tests." Mount DB. Disorders of potassium balance. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 17. Seifter JL. Potassium disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 109. Last reviewed on: 11/6/2021 Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. How do you feel when your potassium is too high?For most people, the level of potassium in your blood should be between 3.5 and 5.0, depending on the laboratory that is used. If high potassium happens suddenly and you have very high levels, you may feel heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting.
What is the main cause of high potassium?The most common cause of genuinely high potassium (hyperkalemia) is related to your kidneys, such as: Acute kidney failure. Chronic kidney disease.
How can I lower my potassium level quickly?Four emergency treatments to lower potassium quickly start working in minutes by shifting potassium out of the blood and into cells.. Intravenous (IV) insulin and glucose.. IV calcium.. IV sodium bicarbonate.. Inhaled albuterol.. What are the first signs of high potassium?What are the symptoms of hyperkalemia (high potassium)?. Abdominal (belly) pain and diarrhea.. Chest pain.. Heart palpitations or arrhythmia (irregular, fast or fluttering heartbeat).. Muscle weakness or numbness in limbs.. Nausea and vomiting.. |
What are the signs of high potassium
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