Serum Potassium (K)

Also known as Serum K and K+

Why test for Serum Potassium at Symbion VIP Diagnostics, Ahmedabad ?

A potassium test is used to measure the amount of potassium in your blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that’s essential for proper muscle and nerve function. Even minor increases or decreases in the amount of potassium in your blood can result in serious health problems.

Your doctor may order a potassium test if they suspect you have an electrolyte imbalance or as part of a routine check-up.

Potassium is an electrolyte. Electrolytes become ions when they’re in a solution, and they conduct electricity. Our cells and organs require electrolytes to function normally.

A potassium test is performed as a simple blood test and carries few risks or side effects. The blood sample drawn by your healthcare provider will be sent to a laboratory for analysis, and your doctor will review the results with you.

Why is a potassium test performed ?

A potassium test is often performed as part of a basic metabolic panel, which is a group of chemical tests run on your blood serum. Your doctor may order a potassium test during a routine physical or for a variety of other reasons, including:

• checking for or monitoring an electrolyte imbalance
• monitoring certain medications that affect potassium levels, particularly diuretics, heart medications, and high blood pressure medications
• diagnosing heart problems and high blood pressure
• diagnosing or monitoring kidney disease
• checking for metabolic acidosis (when the kidneys don’t remove enough acid from the body or when the body produces too much acid, as might happen in uncontrolled diabetes)
• diagnosing alkalosis (a condition in which the body fluids have excess alkali)
• finding the cause of a paralysis attack

The test will help reveal whether your potassium level is normal.