Potassium Blood Test

Potassium Blood Test

Potassium Blood Test, A potassium test measures the amount of potassium in blood sewn, the fluid part of your blood. Potassium is an electrolyte. Potassium is a mineral that helps nerves and muscles Our body does not produce Potassium naturally. Potassium enters our body through eating Potassium-rich foods. Potassium is found within all cells of the body.

The function of Potassium:

Our cells, nerves, heart, and muscles need Potassium to work properly. It maintains skeletal muscle contractions. and regulates water balance in the body. It regulates and base balance in the body and also regulates the heartbeat It helps in the synthesis of Proteins by ribosomes. It is very important for oxygen utilization by the kidneys of helps to lower blood pressure and keeps muscles strong. It transforms carbohydrates. into energy and charge glucose to glycogen. It helps to prevent osteoporosis if the potassium levels are too high or too low then may be a sign of a medical Problem.

Other Names:

Potassium, Serum Potassium, Serum electrolytes, k.

Normal Range of Potassium in Blood:

• Infant: 4.1-5.3 mEq/L
• Children: 3.4-4.7 mEq/L
• Adult: 3.5-5.5 mEq/L

Causes Of High Potassium in Blood:

If the Potassium levels are too high in the blood is called (Hyperkalemia) then symptoms may include:

• Acute renal failure.
• Chronic renal failure.
• Trauma.
• Muscle weakness.
• Nausea, fatigue.
• Numbness or tingling.
• Arrhythmia (a Problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat)
• Immune Deficiency.
• Burns.
• Necrosis.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis.
• myocardial Infarction.
• Anemia.
• Asthma.

Causes OF Low Potassium in Blood:

When the low level of Potassium in the blood is called (Hypokalemia) which may be due to:

• Crohn’s disease.
• Cushing’s Syndrome.
• High Insulin level.
• Hypertension
• High magnesium Level Irregular heartbeat.
• Muscles cramps.
• Stream, excessive Sweating.
• Thyrotoxicosis.
• Cystic fibrosis,
• Malabsorption, twitching muscles.

What is it used for:

A Potassium blood test measures how much Potassium is in your blood. This test is often part of a routine blood test called an electrolyte Panel. It may be diagnosed with a Condition related to abnormal Potassium levels. These conditions include kidney disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Procedure:

• Collect 3 to 5ml blood samples in the Green top tube, Red Top tube, or Gel tube.
• Centrifuge the blood sample and separate the Plasma or Serum.
• Take 3 vials one is blank (B) second is for standard (s) and the Third tube is for the test, (T).
• Take 5ml Standard buffer. First, blank tube (B) is empty and put 20ul standard reagent in the standard tube (s).
• On the other hand, put 20ul of serum into the third test tube (T) using Pippete.
• Incubate for 5 minutes.
• After incubation, test tubes were aspirated into the chemical analysis, and the result will be displayed.

Result:

If the Patient’s results are not in the normal range it doesn’t always mean that you have a medical condition that needs treatment.