The norm of potassium in the blood for an adult varies from 3.5 to 5.5 mmol / l, but these values can be slightly shifted aside due to individual physiological characteristics of the body. If you have doubts about the fact that potassium serum is normal, you should pass an analysis - this will help prevent the development of serious diseases.
The level of potassium in the blood is the norm and the deviations
Excess potassium, like its deficiency, is an alarm signal. This element refers to intracellular and directly involved in maintaining the water-salt balance, and also regulates muscle metabolism. Any abnormalities can be a symptom of a malfunction in the internal organs. In the first place - cardiovascular and excretory systems. Here are the most common reasons:
1. Potassium deficiency causes:
- hypoglycemia;
- fistulas;
- exhaustion;
- dehydration ;
- dropsy;
- acidosis;
- hyperfunction of the adrenal glands;
- cystic fibrosis;
- Magnesium deficiency.
2. Overabundance of potassium causes:
- hemolysis;
- burns and injuries;
- dehydration;
- renal and hepatic impairment;
- shock;
- increase in the flow of potassium salts.
The norm of the content of potassium in the blood is maintained by the body at the expense of food, since this element has no tendency to accumulate in the body. Thus, both starvation and avitaminosis, as well as an overabundance of foods rich in potassium, directly affect the result of the blood test. Violations of the balance of potassium lead to heart rate malfunction, and also detrimental to the human nervous system.
Blood test for potassium is the norm
For an average adult male, the average normal potassium index is 4.5 mmol / L, for a woman 4.0 mmol / L, for athletes and manual workers, the norms may be slightly overestimated.
A biochemical blood test will show that potassium is normal only if the study is done correctly. Blood is taken from the vein in the morning on an empty stomach. On the day before the procedure, it is not recommended to eat spicy, salty, or pickled food. Also you can not drink alcohol and strong coffee. If you are taking any medications on an ongoing basis, be sure to tell the doctor who ordered the test.
To date, there is an automatic way to determine the level of potassium, which is recognized as the most accurate, and the method of titration. The automatic analyzer works much faster and is not inclined to errors.