Potassium

Potassium belongs to the positively charged ions of the human body. The mineral is responsible for the signal transmission between cells and the maintenance of the electrical voltage upright in them. In addition, potassium regulates the acidity of the body.

Standard value: The standard value is between 3.2 and 5.4 mmol/l in children, between 3.6 and 5.0 mmol/l in adults, and between 25 and 105 mmol/24h in urine.

Pathologically lowered: vomiting, diarrhea, villous adenomas, laxative abuse, therapy with cation exchangers, Bartter syndrome, Liddle syndrome, hypomagnesemia, drugs, renal-tubular acidosis (type I and II), polyuria after acute renal failure, primary and secondary hyperaldosterinism and hypercortisolism, burning, heavy sweating, anorexia and malnutrition, potassium-free parenteral nutrition, metabolic alkalosis, insulin therapy, beta-stimulation, intensive therapy with vitamin B12, folic acid deficiency, familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis

Pathologically increased: Addison's crisis, renal tubular acidosis type IV, medication, acute and chronic renal insufficiency, aldosterone deficiency, excessive potassium intake, massive cell death, medication, periodic hyperkalemic paralysis