Decreased serum potassium levels
Decreased Serum Potassium Levels: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Decreased serum potassium levels, also known as hypokalemia, is a condition in which the blood serum potassium concentration levels are abnormally low. This is typically caused by dehydration, imbalanced electrolytes, medications, or diet. When the body is not able to absorb or excrete enough potassium, a person’s serum potassium levels can be affected. Depending on the severity, hypokalemia can cause a wide range of symptoms, from fatigue and weakness to more serious complications such as palpitation, heart failure, and arrhythmia.
Common Causes of Decreased Serum Potassium Levels
- Dehydration
- Excessive use of diuretics or laxatives
- Kidney disease
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Eating a diet that lacks potassium
- Medications such as steroids, antibiotics, or chemotherapy treatments
- Adrenal gland disorders
- Toxic or infectious causes such as snake bites or ingestion of rat poison.
Symptoms of Decreased Serum Potassium Levels
The symptoms of decreased serum potassium levels vary depending on the severity. Mild symptoms may include fatigue, muscle weakness, cramping, muscle twitching, nausea, and postural hypotension. Severe hypokalemia may cause more serious complications such as cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, or respiratory failure.
Treatment of Decreased Serum Potassium Levels
Treatment for decreased serum potassium depends on the severity of the level. For mild cases, it may simply be a matter of increasing your dietary intake of potassium. Potassium supplements may also be necessary. For more severe cases, intravenous potassium may be administered. Your doctor may also recommend medications to help balance your electrolytes. In rare cases, surgery may be performed to correct any underlying diseases or conditions.