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Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Low Potassium Causes

Low potassium can occur for many reasons. Use of water pills (diuretics), diarrhea, and chronic laxative abuse are the most common causes of low potassium levels.

Illness and other medications may also lower potassium levels. Woman and African-Americans are at higher risk of developing hypokalemia.

Other causes of hypokalemia include: 

Kidney losses

• Certain kidney disorders such as renal tubular acidosis (for example, chronic kidney failure and acute kidney failure)
  
  
• Magnesium deficiency
  
  
• Leukemia
  
  
• Cushing's disease (and other adrenal disorders)

Loss of potassium through stomach and intestines

• Vomiting
  
  
• Enemas or excessive laxative use
  
  
• Diarrhea
  
  
• After ileostomy operation

Effect of medicines

• Water pills (diuretics)
  
  
• Medicines used for asthma or emphysema (beta-adrenergic agonist type of drugs such as bronchodilators, steroids, or theophylline)
  
  
• Aminoglycosides (a type of antibiotic used for treating certain serious infections)

Shifting of potassium into and out of cells can lower the concentration of potassium measured in the blood.

• Use of insulin
  
  
• Certain metabolic states (such as alkalosis)

Decreased food intake or malnutrition

• Anorexia
  
  
• Bulimia
  
  
• Bariatric surgery
  
  
• Alcoholism