metabolic

Hypokalaemia

Hypokalemia is a low level of (K+) in the blood serum. Mild low potassium does not typically cause symptoms. Symptoms may include feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, and . Low potassium also increases the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, which is often too slow and can cause .

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Symptoms — what it feels like

·Feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, , abnormal heart rhythm

Causes — why it happens

·, medications like furosemide and , dialysis, insipidus, hyperaldosteronism, hypomagnesemia, not enough intake in the diet

How it's found

·Blood < 3.5 mmol/L

Treatment

·Dietary changes, supplements, based on the underlying cause

Complications

More in Thyroid & Hormones

Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism Goitre Hashimoto's thyroiditis Graves' disease Thyroid cancer Cushing's syndrome Addison's disease Acromegaly Hyperparathyroidism Diabetes insipidus Pheochromocytoma

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Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.