Potassium Urine Test
From Health Facts
Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-24 (EDT)
See Also | Lab Tests |
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Potassium is the major cation within the cell. A 24-hour urine collection of potassium is particularly important to evaluate electrolyte balance, acid-base balance, and renal and adrenal diseases.[1]
Contents
Discussion
- Serum potassium concentration depends on many factors such as aldosterone and to a lesser extent, glucocorticosteroids
- If sodium blood levels are diminished, the renal tubules can reabsorb sodium in exchange for potassium, which is then excreted at increased rates;
Patient Preparation
- No preparation is required.
Interfering Factors
- Factors which can cause increased levels:
- excessive intake of licorice
- Drugs: diuretics, glucocorticoids, and salicylates
Clinical Implications
Ranges
High levels indicate:
- Chronic renal failure
- Renal tubular acidosis
- Starvation
- Cushing's syndrome
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Excessive intake of licorice
- Alkalosis
- Diuretic therapy
Low levels indicate:
- Dehydration
- Addison's disease
- Malnutrition
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Malabsorption
- Acute renal failure
Associated Tests
References
- ↑ Pagana Kathleen D, Pagana Timothy J (1998) Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, Mosby, Inc