Decrease in total body potassium
An abnormal loss of potassium from the body is the commonest cause of hypokalaemia (1).
- medications
- diuretics
- laxatives and enemas
- corticosteroids (1)
- losses from the GI tract
- losses from the renal tract associated with metabolic acidosis
- losses from the renal tract associated with metabolic alkalosis
- skin losses, e.g. excess sweating, burns
- hypomagnesemia
- dialysis/plasmapheresis (1,2)
Reference:
- (1) Kim MJ, Valerio C, Knobloch GK. Potassium Disorders: Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia. Am Fam Physician. 2023 Jan;107(1):59-70.
- (2) Kardalas E, Paschou SA, Anagnostis P, Muscogiuri G, Siasos G, Vryonidou A. Hypokalemia: a clinical update. Endocr Connect. 2018 Apr;7(4):R135-R146. doi: 10.1530/EC-18-0109.
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