Potassium: Everything You Need to Know About Potassium Levels, Deficiencies and Increased Symptoms
Potassium is an essential mineral for the body, and too high or too low levels can lead to health problems such as heart arrhythmias and muscle weakness. Prompt testing is crucial, especially since potassium levels can change quickly; for reliable results when symptoms occur, testing through your family doctor is recommended.
Potassium is one of the most important minerals for the body and plays a crucial role in the functioning of muscles, nerves and especially the heart. Potassium levels that are too high or too low can cause various health problems, making it essential to keep your potassium levels up.
What are the symptoms of excessive potassium levels?
Elevated potassium levels, also known as hyperkalemia, can cause severe symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness
- Cardiac arrhythmias (e.g., irregular heartbeat)
- Tingling or numbness
- Fatigue and nausea
If you experience these symptoms, it may indicate too high a potassium level, and it is advisable to get your blood tested
Potassium deficiency: when does it occur?
Potassium deficiency (also called hypokalemia) can also be detrimental to health. Deficiencies are common in people taking diuretics, or with poor diet. Symptoms of a potassium deficiency may include:
- Muscle cramps
- Fatigue
- Impaired reflexes
- Irregular heartbeat
Replenishing your potassium levels can be done easily by consuming potassium-rich foods. But what are the main dietary sources of potassium?
Case study of Andre
Andre, an active man of 55, suddenly experienced severe palpitations and muscle weakness. Concerned about his health, he visited his family doctor, who referred him to a cardiologist. After several tests, it seemed that Jan had a heart problem. Only after a blood test revealed the surprising cause: instead of a heart condition, Jan was found to have a severe potassium deficiency. After adjusting his diet and taking a potassium supplement, his symptoms completely disappeared within a few weeks. What at first seemed like a serious heart diagnosis turned out to be an easily solvable potassium deficiency!
What is potassium in?
Potassium is abundant in a variety of foods, making it possible to maintain healthy potassium levels through your diet. Foods rich in potassium include:
- Bananas
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Avocado
- Orange juice A balanced diet can help you maintain your potassium levels, but in case of persistent symptoms, a blood test is the best way to check your potassium levels.
When should you test your potassium level?
It is important to have your potassium levels checked regularly if you experience certain symptoms, such as cardiac arrhythmias or muscle cramps. However, for symptoms, it is recommended to have the test done at your doctor's office, especially since the potassium test is more sensitive than other blood levels.
Why is the potassium test so sensitive?
Unlike most blood values, which can remain stable for days or even weeks in the tubes that Blood Value Test uses, potassium is much more sensitive. Potassium values can start to deviate within hours of the blood draw if the blood is in transit to the laboratory for too long. This is because potassium can be released into the bloodstream from damaged blood cells, which artificially increases the actual value.
Therefore, a potassium test can become unreliable after only 24 hours, which is not the case with many other blood values. For a reliable result for symptoms such as palpitations, it is preferable to have this test done at the doctor's office, as the blood is tested directly there.
Potassium at Blood Values Test
At Blood Value Test you can have your potassium levels tested, but it is important to know that this test is mainly preventive in nature and can only be indicative. The accuracy of the result depends greatly on how quickly the blood sample is processed. For reliable results in severe symptoms, such as cardiac arrhythmias, a direct blood test at the doctor's office is recommended.
Therefore, always write the collection date and time on your lab form, we can then calculate what the deviation might be.
The Potassium blood test is part of insidetracker, Metabollic balance and other tests.
We do not recommend this test separately because there is a high chance that the sample will be rejected because it arrives at the lab hemolytic. The other tests can then be analyzed. If the test fails you will get a refund for the Potassium analysis.
