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Low Potassium (cont.)

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.

Illness and other medications may also lower potassium levels. Other causes include:

Kidney losses

Loss of potassium through stomach and intestines

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 across cells can lower the concentration of potassium measured in the blood.

Decreased food intake or malnutrition



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Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) - How Was Diagnosis Established

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How was the diagnosis of your low potassium (hypokalemia) established?

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Hypokalemia »

Potassium, the most abundant intracellular cation, is essential for the life of the organism.

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