Potassium what should the level be

You may also need this test if your healthcare provider suspects that your potassium is too high or too low. It's important to have your potassium level checked if you have diabetes, if you have a disease that affects your kidneys, adrenal glands, or digestive system, or if you are on medicines, such as diuretics, steroids, or digitalis.

A potassium level that is too high is called hyperkalemia. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include:. A potassium level that is too low is called hypokalemia. Symptoms of hypokalemia include:. You may have your potassium checked along with other electrolytes, such as sodium. You may also have an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to check your heart rhythm. An irregular heart rhythm is a dangerous sign if caused by an abnormal potassium level.

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. Normal results are about:. The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Symptoms Low potassium hypokalemia. Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Adams JG. Your health care provider will order a blood test to check your potassium level. Normal range is 3. If your condition is mild, your provider will likely prescribe oral potassium pills. If your condition is severe, you may need to get potassium through a vein IV. Eating foods rich in potassium can help treat and prevent low level of potassium. These foods include:. Taking potassium supplements can usually correct the problem.

In severe cases, without proper treatment, a severe drop in potassium level can lead to serious heart rhythm problems that can be fatal.

In severe cases, life-threatening paralysis may develop, such as with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Call your provider right away if you have been vomiting or have had excessive diarrhea, or if you are taking diuretics and have symptoms of hypokalemia. Mount DB. Disorders of potassium balance. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Seifter JL.