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
Shifting of potassium across cells can lower the concentration of potassium measured in the blood.
Decreased food intake or malnutrition
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Potassium, the most abundant intracellular cation, is essential for the life of the organism.
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