POTASSIUM

• 3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L

• Potassium is the major cation in the intra cellular fluid and functions as the primary buffer within the cell itself. 90% of potassium is concentrated within the cell, and damaged cells release potassium into the blood. 
• Potassium plays an important role in nerve conduction, muscle function, and helps maintain acid-base balance and osmotic pressure. Potassium levels that are too low or too high can alter the function of the nerves and muscles and there can be serious health complications, such as shock , respiratory failure, irregular heartbeat, or the muscle may even lose its ability to contract.
• Potassium levels are used to monitor electrolyte imbalance in the diagnosis and treatment of infusion therapies, Shock, Heart or circulatory insufficiency, Acid base imbalance, Therapy with diuretics, all kinds of kidney diseases, Diarrhoea, Hyper and hypo function of adrenal cortex.

• When there is Kidney Disease, symptoms like muscle weakness, Cardiac arrhythmias, a condition treated with diuretics, on intake of medications for heart

Hyperkalemia

• Oliguria
• Anemia
• Urinary obstruction
• Renal failure due to nephritis or shock
• Metabolic or respiratory acidosis
• Renal tubular acidosis 
• Hemolysis of blood
• Addison disease
• Dehyration
• Drugs like NSAID's, ACE inhibitors and potassium

Hypokalemia

• Excessive loss of potassium due to diarrhoea or vomiting
• Inadequate intake of potassium
• Malabsorption 
• Severe burns
• Increased secretion of aldosterone
• Acetaminophen overdose
• Drugs like Beta blockers, lithium etc..