Potassium (K) in Blood

Why It Is Done

A blood test to check potassium is done to:

• Check levels in people being treated with medicines such as diuretics and for people having kidney dialysis.
• Check to see whether treatment for too low or too high potassium levels is working.
• Check people with high blood pressure who may have a problem with their kidneys or adrenal glands.
• Check the effects of extra nutrition (total parenteral nutrition [TPN]) on potassium levels.
• Check to see whether certain cancer treatments are causing too many cells to be destroyed (cell lysis). Cell lysis syndrome causes very high levels of some electrolytes, including potassium.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: November 17, 2006
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
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