11/7/2018 Hypokalemia: Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Etiology

Hypokalemia
Updated: Oct 03, 2018
Author: Eleanor Lederer, MD, FASN; Chief Editor: Vecihi Batuman, MD, FASN more...

OVERVIEW

Practice Essentials
Hypokalemia is generally defined as a serum potassium level of less than 3.5 mEq/L (3.5 mmol/L).
Moderate hypokalemia is a serum level of 2.5-3.0 mEq/L, and severe hypokalemia is a level of less than
2.5 mEq/L. [53] Hypokalemia is a potentially life-threatening imbalance that may be iatrogenically induced.

Hypokalemia may result from inadequate potassium intake, increased potassium excretion, or a shift of
potassium from the extracellular to the intracellular space. Increased excretion is the most common
mechanism. Poor intake or an intracellular shift by itself is a distinctly uncommon cause, but several
causes often are present simultaneously. (See Etiology.)

Gitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic

alkalosis and low blood pressure. See the image below.

A model of transport mechanisms in the distal convoluted tubule. Sodium-chloride (NaCl) enters the cell via the apical
thiazide-sensitive NCC and leaves the cell through the basolateral Cl− channel (ClC-Kb), and the Na+/K+-ATPase. Indicated
also are the recently identified magnesium channel TRPM6 in the apical membrane, and a putative Na/Mg exchanger in the

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basolateral membrane. These transport mechanisms play a role in familial hypokalemia-hypomagnesemia or Gitelman
syndrome.

Signs and symptoms

Patients are often asymptomatic, particularly those with mild hypokalemia. Symptoms that are present are
often from the underlying cause of the hypokalemia rather than the hypokalemia itself. The symptoms of
hypokalemia are nonspecific and predominantly are related to muscular or cardiac function. Complaints
may include the following:

Weakness and fatigue (most common)

Muscle cramps and pain (severe cases)

Worsening diabetes control or polyuria

Palpitations

Psychological symptoms (eg, psychosis, delirium, hallucinations, depression)

Physical findings are often within the reference range. Abnormal findings may reflect the underlying
disorder. Severe hypokalemia may manifest as bradycardia with cardiovascular collapse. Cardiac
arrhythmias and acute respiratory failure from muscle paralysis are life-threatening complications that
require immediate diagnosis.

See Presentation for more detail.

Diagnosis

In most cases, the cause of hypokalemia is apparent from the history and physical examination. First-line
studies include measurement of urine potassium, a serum magnesium assay, and an electrocardiogram
(ECG). Measurement of urine potassium is of vital importance because it establishes the
pathophysiologic mechanism and, thus, is used in formulating the differential diagnosis. This, in turn, will
guide the choice of further tests.

If the urine potassium level is less than 20 mEq/L, consider the following:

Diarrhea and use of laxatives

Diet or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) contents

The use of insulin, excessive bicarbonate supplements, and episodic weakness

If the urine potassium level is higher than 40 mEq/L, consider diuretics. If diuretic use has been excluded,
measure arterial blood gases (ABG) and determine the acid-base balance. Alkalosis suggests one of the
following:

Vomiting

Bartter syndrome

Gitelman syndrome

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Mineralocorticoid excess

Depending on history, physical examination findings, clinical impressions, and urine potassium results,
the following tests may be appropriate, but they should not be first-line tests unless the clinical index of
suspicion for the disorder is high:

Drug screen in urine and/or serum for diuretics, amphetamines, and other sympathomimetic
stimulants

Serum renin, aldosterone, and cortisol

24-hour urine aldosterone, cortisol, sodium, and potassium

Pituitary imaging to evaluate for Cushing syndrome

Adrenal imaging to evaluate for adenoma

Evaluation for renal artery stenosis

Enzyme assays for 17-beta hydroxylase deficiency

Thyroid function studies in patients with tachycardia, especially Asians [1]

Serum anion gap (eg, to detect toluene toxicity)

See Workup for more detail.

Management

The treatment of hypokalemia has 4 facets, as follows:

Reduction of potassium losses

Replenishment of potassium stores

Evaluation for potential toxicities

Determination of the cause to prevent future episodes, if possible

Decreasing potassium losses

Discontinue diuretics/laxatives

Use potassium-sparing diuretics if diuretic therapy is required (eg, severe heart failure)

Treat diarrhea or vomiting

Administer H2 blockers to patients receiving nasogastric suction

Control hyperglycemia if glycosuria is present

Replenishment

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For every 1 mEq/L decrease in serum potassium, the potassium deficit is approximately 200-400
mEq; however, this calculation could either overestimate or underestimate the true potassium deficit

Patients with a potassium level of 2.5-3.5 mEq/L may need only oral potassium replacement

If the potassium level is less than 2.5 mEq/L, intravenous (IV) potassium should be given, with close
followup, continuous ECG monitoring, and serial potassium levels

The serum potassium level is difficult to replenish if the serum magnesium level is also low

Surgical care

Surgical intervention is required only with certain etiologies, such as the following:

Renal artery stenosis

Adrenal adenoma

Intestinal obstruction producing massive vomiting

Villous adenoma

See Treatment and Medication for more detail.

Pathophysiology
Potassium, the most abundant intracellular cation, is essential for the life of an organism. Potassium
homeostasis is integral to normal cellular function, particularly of nerve and muscle cells, and is tightly
regulated by specific ion-exchange pumps, primarily by cellular, membrane-bound, sodium-potassium
adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) pumps. [2]

Potassium is obtained through the diet. Gastrointestinal absorption of potassium is complete, resulting in
daily excess intake of approximately 1 mEq/kg/day (60-100 mEq). Of this excess, 90% is excreted
through the kidneys, and 10% is excreted through the gut.

Potassium homeostasis is maintained predominantly through the regulation of renal excretion; the adrenal
gland and pancreas also play significant roles. The most important site of regulation is the renal collecting
duct, where aldosterone receptors are present.

Potassium excretion is increased by the following factors:

Aldosterone
High sodium delivery to the collecting duct (eg, diuretics)
High urine flow (eg, osmotic diuresis)
High serum potassium levels
Delivery of negatively charged ions to the collecting duct (eg, bicarbonate)

Potassium excretion is decreased by the following factors:

Absolute aldosterone deficiency or resistance to aldosterone effects

Low sodium delivery to the collecting duct
Low urine flow
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Low serum potassium levels

Renal failure

An acute increase in osmolality causes potassium to exit from cells. An acute cell/tissue breakdown
releases potassium into extracellular space.

Renal factors in potassium homeostasis

Kidneys adapt to acute and chronic alterations in potassium intake. When potassium intake is chronically
high, potassium excretion likewise is increased. In the absence of potassium intake, however, obligatory
renal losses are 10-15 mEq/day. Thus, chronic losses occur in the absence of any ingested potassium.

The kidney maintains a central role in the maintenance of potassium homeostasis, even in the setting of
chronic renal failure. Renal adaptive mechanisms allow the kidneys to maintain potassium homeostasis
until the glomerular filtration rate drops to less than 15-20 mL/min.

Additionally, in the presence of renal failure, the proportion of potassium excreted through the gut
increases. The colon is the major site of gut regulation of potassium excretion. Therefore, potassium
levels can remain relatively normal under stable conditions, even with advanced renal insufficiency.
However, as renal function worsens, the kidneys may not be capable of handling an acute potassium load.

Potassium distribution

Potassium is predominantly an intracellular cation; therefore, serum potassium levels can be a very poor
indicator of total body stores. Because potassium moves easily across cell membranes, serum
potassium levels reflect movement of potassium between intracellular and extracellular fluid
compartments, as well as total body potassium homeostasis.

Several factors regulate the distribution of potassium between the intracellular and extracellular space, as
follows:

Glycoregulatory hormones: (1) Insulin enhances potassium entry into cells, and (2) glucagon impairs
potassium entry into cells

Adrenergic stimuli: (1) Beta-adrenergic stimuli enhance potassium entry into cells, and (2) alpha-
adrenergic stimuli impair potassium entry into cells

pH: (1) Alkalosis enhances potassium entry into cells, and (2) acidosis impairs potassium entry into
cells

Physiologic mechanisms for sensing extracellular potassium concentration are not well understood.
Adrenal glomerulosa cells and pancreatic beta cells may play a role in potassium sensing, resulting in
alterations in aldosterone and insulin secretion. [3, 4] As the adrenal and pancreatic hormonal systems
play important roles in potassium homeostasis, this would not be surprising; however, the molecular
mechanisms by which these potassium channels signal changes in hormone secretion and activity have
still not been determined.

Muscle contains the bulk of body potassium, and the notion that muscle could play a prominent role in the
regulation of serum potassium concentration through alterations in sodium pump activity has been
promoted for a number of years. Potassium ingestion stimulates the secretion of insulin, which increases
the activity of the sodium pump in muscle cells, resulting in an increased uptake of potassium.

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Studies in a model of potassium deprivation demonstrate that acutely, skeletal muscle develops
resistance to insulin-stimulated potassium uptake even in the absence of changes in muscle cell sodium
pump expression. However, prolonged potassium deprivation leads to a decrease in muscle cell sodium-
pump expression, resulting in decreased muscle uptake of potassium. [5, 6, 7]

Thus, there appears to be a well-developed system for sensing potassium by the pancreas and adrenal
glands. High potassium states stimulate cellular uptake via insulin-mediated stimulation of sodium-pump
activity in muscle and stimulate potassium secretion by the kidney via aldosterone-mediated
enhancement of distal renal expression of secretory potassium channels (ROMK).

Low potassium states result in insulin resistance, impairing potassium uptake into muscle cells, and
cause decreased aldosterone release, lessening renal potassium excretion. This system results in rapid
adjustments in immediate potassium disposal and helps to provide long-term potassium homeostasis.

Pathogenic mechanisms

Hypokalemia can occur via the following pathogenetic mechanisms:

Deficient intake
Increased excretion
A shift from the extracellular to the intracellular space

Although poor intake or an intracellular shift by itself is a distinctly uncommon cause, several causes often
are present simultaneously.

Increased excretion

The most common mechanisms leading to increased renal potassium losses include the following:

Enhanced sodium delivery to the collecting duct, as with diuretics

Mineralocorticoid excess, as with primary or secondary hyperaldosteronism
Increased urine flow, as with an osmotic diuresis

Gastrointestinal losses, from diarrhea, vomiting, or nasogastric suctioning, also are common causes of
hypokalemia. Vomiting leads to hypokalemia via a complex pathogenesis. Gastric fluid itself contains little
potassium, approximately 10 mEq/L. However, vomiting produces volume depletion and metabolic
alkalosis, which are accompanied by increased renal potassium excretion.

Volume depletion leads to secondary hyperaldosteronism, which in turn leads to enhanced cortical
collecting tubule secretion of potassium in response to enhanced sodium reabsorption. Metabolic
alkalosis also increases collecting tubule potassium secretion due to the decreased availability of
hydrogen ions for secretion in response to sodium reabsorption.

Extracellular/intracellular shift

Hypokalemia caused by a shift from extracellular to intracellular space often accompanies increased
excretion, leading to a potentiation of the hypokalemic effect of excessive loss. Intracellular shifts of
potassium often are episodic and frequently are self-limited, as, for example, with acute insulin therapy for
hyperglycemia.

Additional considerations

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Regardless of the cause, hypokalemia produces similar signs and symptoms. Because potassium is
overwhelmingly an intracellular cation and a variety of factors can regulate the actual serum potassium
concentration, an individual can incur very substantial potassium losses without exhibiting frank
hypokalemia. For example, diabetic ketoacidosis results in a significant potassium deficit; however,
serum potassium in a patient presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis is rarely low and frequently is frankly
elevated.

Conversely, hypokalemia does not always reflect a true deficit in total body potassium stores. Acute
insulin administration can drive potassium into cells transiently, producing short-lived hypokalemia but not
signifying potassium depletion.

Complications

Cardiovascular complications

Hypokalemia has widespread actions in many organ systems that, over time, may result in cardiovascular
disease. Cardiovascular complications are clinically the most important harbingers of significant
morbidity or mortality from hypokalemia.

Although hypokalemia has been implicated in the development of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias,
ventricular arrhythmias have received the most attention. Even moderate hypokalemia may inhibit the
sodium-potassium pump in myocardial cells, promoting spontaneous early afterdepolarizations that lead
to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation. [8]

Increased susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias is observed with hypokalemia in the following settings:

Chronic heart failure

Underlying ischemic heart disease/acute myocardial ischemia
Aggressive therapy for hyperglycemia, such as with diabetic ketoacidosis
Digitalis therapy
Treatment with class III antiarrhythmic drugs (eg, dofetilide) [8]
Methadone therapy [9]
Conn syndrome [10]

Low potassium intake has been implicated as a risk factor for the development of hypertension and/or
hypertensive end-organ damage. Hypokalemia leads to altered vascular reactivity, likely from the effects
of potassium depletion on the expression of adrenergic receptors, angiotensin receptors, and mediators
of vascular relaxation. The result is enhanced vasoconstriction and impaired relaxation, which may play a
role in the development of diverse clinical sequelae, such as ischemic central nervous system events or
rhabdomyolysis.

Treatment of hypertension with diuretics without due attention to potassium homeostasis exacerbates the
development of end-organ damage by fueling the metabolic abnormalities. These patients are then at
higher risk for lethal hypokalemia under stress conditions such as myocardial infarction, septic shock, or
diabetic ketoacidosis.

Muscular complications

Muscle weakness, depression of the deep-tendon reflexes, and even flaccid paralysis can complicate
hypokalemia. Rhabdomyolysis can be provoked, especially with vigorous exercise. However,

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rhabdomyolysis has also been seen as a complication of severe hypokalemia, complicating primary
hyperaldosteronism in the absence of exercise. [11]

Renal complications

Abnormalities of renal function often accompany acute or chronic hypokalemia. These may include
nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. They also may include metabolic alkalosis from impaired bicarbonate
excretion and enhanced ammoniagenesis, as well as cystic degeneration and interstitial scarring.

Gastrointestinal complications

Hypokalemia decreases gut motility, which can lead to or exacerbate an ileus. Hypokalemia also is a
contributory factor in the development of hepatic encephalopathy in the setting of cirrhosis.

Metabolic complications

Hypokalemia has a dual effect on glucose regulation by decreasing insulin release and peripheral insulin
sensitivity. Clinical evidence suggests that the hypokalemic effect of thiazide is the causative factor in
thiazide-associated diabetes mellitus. [12]

Etiology
As mentioned, hypokalemia can result from inadequate potassium intake, increased potassium
excretion, or a shift of potassium from the extracellular to the intracellular space. Increased excretion is the
most common mechanism. Poor intake or an intracellular shift by itself is a distinctly uncommon cause,
but several causes often are present simultaneously.

Inadequate potassium intake

Inadequate potassium intake may result from any of the following:

Eating disorders [13] : Anorexia, bulimia, starvation, pica, and alcoholism

Dental problems: Impaired ability to chew or swallow

Poverty: Inadequate quantity or quality of food (eg, "tea-and-toast" diet of elderly individuals)

Hospitalization: Potassium-poor TPN

Increased potassium excretion

Increased excretion of potassium, especially coupled with poor intake, is the most common cause of
hypokalemia. Increased potassium excretion may result from any of the following:

Mineralocorticoid excess (endogenous or exogenous)

Hyperreninism from renal artery stenosis

Osmotic diuresis: Mannitol and hyperglycemia can cause osmotic diuresis

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Increased gastrointestinal losses

Drugs

Genetic disorders

Endogenous sources of excess mineralocorticoid include the following:

Cushing syndrome

Primary hyperaldosteronism, most commonly from an adrenal adenoma or bilateral adrenal

hyperplasia

Secondary hyperaldosteronism from volume depletion, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, or

vomiting

Tumor that is producing adrenocorticotropic hormone

Genetic disorders

Exogenous causes of mineralocorticoid excess include the following:

Steroid therapy for immunosuppression

Glycyrrhizic acid - Inhibits 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; contained in licorice and Chinese
herbal preparations

Renal tubular disorders - Type I and type II renal tubular acidosis

Hypomagnesemia

Gastrointestinal loss of potassium can result from vomiting, diarrhea, or small intestine drainage. The
problem can be particularly prominent in tropical illnesses, such as malaria and leptospirosis. [14] Severe
hypokalemia has also been reported with villous adenomas and VIPomas. [15]

Drugs that can cause hypokalemia include the following:

Diuretics (carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics): Increased collecting duct
permeability or increased gradient for potassium secretion can result in losses

Methylxanthines (theophylline, aminophylline, caffeine)

Verapamil (with overdose)

Quetiapine (particularly in overdose)

Ampicillin, carbenicillin, high-dose penicillins

Bicarbonate

Antifungal agents (amphotericin B, azoles, echinocandins) [16, 17]

Gentamicin

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Cisplatin

Ephedrine (from Ephedra; banned in the United States, but available over the Internet) [18]

Beta-agonist intoxication [19]

Genetic disorders

The following genetic disorders may result in hypokalemia:

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (11-beta hydroxylase or 17-alpha hydroxylase deficiency)

Glucocorticoid-remediable hypertension

Bartter syndrome

Gitelman syndrome

Liddle syndrome

Gullner syndrome

Glucocorticoid receptor deficiency

Hypokalemic period paralysis

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TTPP)

Seizures, sensorineural deafness, ataxia, mental retardation, and electrolyte imbalance (SeSAME
syndrome)

Bartter syndrome

Bartter syndrome is a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by hypokalemic metabolic

alkalosis and hypotension. [20] Sensorineural hearing loss is also a feature of this syndrome. Mutations in
6 different renal tubular proteins in the loop of Henle have been discovered in individuals with clinical
Bartter syndrome. [21, 22]

Antenatal Bartter syndrome types 1, 2, 3, and 4A are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. They
result from the following mutations:

Type 1 is caused by mutation in the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC2 gene

Type 2 is caused by a mutation in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)–sensitive potassium channel

ROMK gene

Type 3 is caused by mutations in the kidney chloride channel B CLCNKB gene [23]

Type 4A is caused by mutation in the BSND gene; it can also be associated with hearing loss

Bartter syndrome 4B is caused by mutations in both the CLCNKA and the CLCNKB gene, giving it a
unique digenic mode of inheritance.

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Autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH) is caused by mutations in the calcium-sensing receptor gene
CASR. ADH is characterized by hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism; when accompanied by
hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis, it is classified as type 5 Bartter syndrome. [24] Four activating
CASR mutations have been identified in Bartter syndrome type 5. [25]

The most severe cases of Bartter syndrome manifest antenatally or neonatally as profound volume
depletion and hypokalemia. Patients with less severe cases present in childhood or early adulthood with
persistent hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis that is resistant to replacement therapy. In general, however,
onset of true Bartter syndrome occurs by age 5 years.

Gitelman syndrome

Gitelman syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic

alkalosis and low blood pressure. It is caused by a defect in the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride
transporter in the distal tubule, which is encoded by the SLC12A3 gene (see the image below).

A model of transport mechanisms in the distal convoluted tubule. Sodium-chloride (NaCl) enters the cell via the apical
thiazide-sensitive NCC and leaves the cell through the basolateral Cl− channel (ClC-Kb), and the Na+/K+-ATPase. Indicated
also are the recently identified magnesium channel TRPM6 in the apical membrane, and a putative Na/Mg exchanger in the
basolateral membrane. These transport mechanisms play a role in familial hypokalemia-hypomagnesemia or Gitelman
syndrome.

Compared with Bartter syndrome, Gitelman syndrome generally is milder and presents later; in addition,
Gitelman syndrome is complicated by hypomagnesemia, which generally does not occur in Bartter
syndrome. Hypocalciuria is also frequently found in Gitelman syndrome, while patients with Bartter
syndrome are more likely to have increased urine calcium excretion.

Liddle syndrome

Liddle syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a mutation affecting either the beta
or gamma subunit of the epithelial sodium channel in the aldosterone-sensitive portion of the nephron.

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These subunits are encoded by the SCNN1G and SCNN1B genes and are inherited in an autosomal
dominant fashion.

Mutations to these genes lead to unregulated sodium reabsorption, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, and
severe hypertension. It has been shown that amiloride and triamterene are effective treatments for Liddle
syndrome, but spironolactone is not. [26]

Gullner syndrome

Gullner syndrome, first described in the 1970s after being diagnosed in 2 brothers, was reported to be a
“new” form of familial hypokalemia. [27] Three additional siblings were also found to have elevated renin
and decreased potassium levels. The 2 brothers had fatigue and muscle cramps. One responded to a
low-sodium diet, and the other required use of a potassium-sparing diuretic. Additional patients were
described in 1980 and 1983. [28, 29]

This syndrome was described as being like Bartter syndrome, except that renal histology showed normal
juxtaglomerular apparatus and changes to the proximal tubules. Although the locus for the gene
associated with Gullner syndrome showed linkage to the HLA-A and HLA-B genes, its identity is still
unknown.

Glucocorticoid receptor deficiencysyndrome

Glucocorticoid receptor deficiency syndrome is caused by mutations to the NR3C1 gene and has
different clinical manifestations in patients who are homozygous than it does in those who are
heterozygous. Homozygotes for this condition display mineralocorticoid excess, hypertension,
hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis.

Heterozygotes may have increased plasma cortisol levels and generally do not have hypokalemia or
metabolic alkalosis. However, several reports in the literature have described likely heterozygotes for this
condition who have symptoms of either partial adrenal insufficiency or mild virilization in females. [30, 31]

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis types 1 and 2 are caused by mutations in the CACNL1A3 and SCN4A
genes, respectively, and are both inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. Patients with this disorder
experience episodes of flaccid, generalized weakness, usually without myotonia. Patients will have
hypokalemia during the flaccid attacks. The disorder is treated by administration of potassium and can be
precipitated by a large glucose or insulin load, as both forms tend to drive potassium from the
extracellular to the intracellular space.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TTPP)

TTPP is a form of hypokalemic periodic paralysis in which episodes of weakness associated with
hypokalemia are seen in individuals with hyperthyroidism. TTPP is most common in Asian males.

The mechanism by which hyperthyroidism produces hypokalemic paralysis is not yet understood, but
theories include increased Na-K-ATPase activity, which has been found in patients with both
thyrotoxicosis and paralysis. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 3 different regions of the
CACNA1S gene have been associated with increased rates of TTPP, compared with normal controls or
patients with Graves disease. [32]

SeSAME syndrome
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In addition to seizures, sensorineural deafness, ataxia, mental retardation, and electrolyte imbalance,
some patients with SeSAME syndrome will have short stature, salt craving with polydipsia, renal
potassium and sodium wasting, and polyuria. Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, and
metabolic alkalosis are seen.

This syndrome is caused by mutations in the KCNJ10 gene, which encodes an inwardly rectifying
potassium channel. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. [33]

Shift of potassium from extracellular to intracellular space

A shift of potassium to the intracellular space may result from any of the following:

Alkalosis (metabolic or respiratory)

Insulin administration or glucose administration (the latter stimulates insulin release)

Intensive beta-adrenergic stimulation

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Refeeding: This is observed in prolonged starvation, eating disorders, and alcoholism

Hypothermia

Epidemiology
The frequency of hypokalemia in the general population is difficult to estimate; however, probably fewer
than 1% of people who are not taking medication have a serum potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L.
Potassium intake varies according to age, sex, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status. Whether
these differences in intake produce different degrees of hypokalemia or different sensitivities to
hypokalemic insults is not known.

An observational study of patients in a large Swedish healthcare system found that hypokalemia occurred
in 49,662 (13.6%) of 364,955 individuals, with 33% recurrence. Female sex, younger age, higher
estimate glomerular filtration rate, and baseline use of diuretics were associated with higher hypokalemia
risk. [49]

Up to 21% of hospitalized patients have serum potassium levels lower than 3.5 mEq/L, with 5% of
patients exhibiting potassium levels lower than 3 mEq/L. Among elderly patients, 5% demonstrate
potassium levels lower than 3 mEq/L.

Of patients taking non–potassium-sparing diuretics, 20-50% develop hypokalemia. African Americans

and women are more susceptible. The higher frequency of hypokalemia in the former group may be from
lower intake of potassium in African-American men (approximately 25 mEq/day) than in their white
counterparts (70-100 mEq/day). Risk of hypokalemia in patients taking diuretics is enhanced by
concomitant illness, such as heart failure or nephrotic syndrome.

Other factors associated with a high incidence of hypokalemia include the following:

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Eating disorders (incidence of 4.6-19.7% in an outpatient setting [34, 35] )

AIDS (23.1% of hospitalized patients) [36]

Alcoholism (incidence reportedly as high as 12.6% [37] in the inpatient setting), likely from a
hypomagnesemia-induced decrease in tubular reabsorption of potassium

Bariatric surgery [38]

The frequency of hypokalemia increases with age because of increased use of diuretics and potassium-
poor diets. However, infants and younger children are more susceptible to viral GI infections; emesis or
diarrhea from such infections places them at increased risk for hypokalemia because the depletion of
fluid volume and electrolytes from GI loss is relatively higher than that in older children and adults.

Hypokalemia generally is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, especially from cardiac
arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death. However, an independent contribution of hypokalemia to increased
morbidity/mortality has not been conclusively established. Patients who develop hypokalemia often have
multiple medical problems, making the separation and quantitation of the contribution by hypokalemia,
per se, difficult.

Patient Education
Instruct patients on the symptoms of hypokalemia or hyperkalemia, as follows:

Palpitations or notable cardiac arrhythmias

Muscle weakness

Increasing difficulty with diabetes control

Polyuria

Instruct patients on the effects of medications; specifically, which of their drugs will produce serum
potassium abnormalities in either direction. For example, tell patients to discontinue diuretics if nausea
and vomiting or diarrhea occurs and to call the physician if such gastrointestinal losses persist.
Depending on patients' underlying disease or diseases, sudden fluid losses can result in either
hypokalemia or hyperkalemia if diuretics, potassium supplements, or antihypertensives are continued.

Diet modification is recommended for those patients who are predisposed to hypokalemia. High sodium
intake tends to enhance renal potassium losses. Therefore, instruct patients about the establishment of a
low-sodium, high-potassium diet. Bananas, tomatoes, oranges, and peaches are high in potassium.

For patient education information, see Low Potassium (Hypokalemia).

Prognosis
The prognosis for patients with hypokalemia depends entirely on the condition’s underlying cause. For
example, a patient with an acute episode of hypokalemia resulting from diarrhea has an excellent

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prognosis. Hypokalemia due to a congenital disorder such as Bartter syndrome has a poor to nonexistent
potential for resolution.

Clinical Presentation

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