HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Potassium (K) in Blood
Why It Is Done
A blood test to check Reference potassium Opens New Window is done to:
- Check levels in people being treated with medicines such as diuretics and for people having Reference kidney dialysis Opens New Window.
- Check to see whether treatment for too low or too high potassium levels is working.
- Check people with Reference high blood pressure Opens New Window who may have a problem with their kidneys or adrenal glands.
- Check the effects of extra nutrition (Reference total parenteral nutrition [TPN] Opens New Window) 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.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference September 4, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology |
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