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Suggest Treatment For Low Potassium Levels

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Posted on Thu, 28 Aug 2014
Question: My blood test shows I'm low in Potassium. What symptoms should I look for?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can present with different symptoms

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Low potassium (called hypokalemia) may or may not be associated with any symptoms.
The extent of symptoms would also depend on how the level of potassium. It is said to be severe if the level is less than 2.5

Hypokalemia symptoms:

In mild cases there may be no symptoms

The symptoms that can occur are related to the heart or muscles though in severe cases, psychological symptoms can occur

Some symptoms are: (1) muscle weakness and fatigue (most common symptoms)
This muscular weakness can affect any muscle in the body. This can present with weakness in the legs, shortness of breath, constipation, distension of the abdomen, poor exercise tolerance

(2)muscle cramps and pain (in severe cases)

(3)palpitations- the feeling of abnormal heart beat

(4)psychological symptoms such as delirium, hallucinations, depression

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Low Potassium Levels

Brief Answer: can present with different symptoms Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Low potassium (called hypokalemia) may or may not be associated with any symptoms. The extent of symptoms would also depend on how the level of potassium. It is said to be severe if the level is less than 2.5 Hypokalemia symptoms: In mild cases there may be no symptoms The symptoms that can occur are related to the heart or muscles though in severe cases, psychological symptoms can occur Some symptoms are: (1) muscle weakness and fatigue (most common symptoms) This muscular weakness can affect any muscle in the body. This can present with weakness in the legs, shortness of breath, constipation, distension of the abdomen, poor exercise tolerance (2)muscle cramps and pain (in severe cases) (3)palpitations- the feeling of abnormal heart beat (4)psychological symptoms such as delirium, hallucinations, depression I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions