Potassium
Alternate Names : Serum Potassium, K+, Lytes
What do the test results mean?
The normal value for potassium in the blood is 3.5 to 5.1 mEq/liter.
The potassium has to remain in this range for the heart to function properly.
Potassium can become too high because of conditions including:
Kidney problems
Dehydration
Technical problems with the blood specimen
Many things can cause the potassium to become too low including:
Diuretics, also called water pills
Severe vomiting or diarrhea
Cirrhosis of the liver
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