Potassium (intracellular)

The main cation of the intracellular space. Essential for heart rhythm, muscle contraction and nerve impulses. Potassium losses arise, for example, through vomiting, diarrhoea or diuretic medications; stress hormones temporarily shift potassium into the cells.

What potassium does in the cell

Almost all of the potassium in the body is inside the cells, mainly in the muscles. The sodium-potassium pump in every cell membrane uses ATP to move three sodium ions out and two potassium ions in. Part of the potassium flows back out through open potassium channels; this creates the electrical voltage across the cell membrane, the resting potential. It determines how nerves conduct impulses, how muscles contract and how regularly the heart beats. Insulin and adrenaline shift potassium into the cells, and the hormone aldosterone ensures that the kidneys excrete excess potassium. Inside the cell, potassium is also needed for protein synthesis and the storage of glycogen.

Low potassium – what happens in the body?

When potassium is lacking, the resting potential of the cells changes: nerves and muscles become harder to excite. Skeletal muscles become weak and prone to cramps, gut muscles work more sluggishly (constipation), and heart rhythm disturbances can occur in the heart. The pancreas releases less insulin, and the kidneys concentrate urine less well. Causes are losses through vomiting, diarrhoea, laxatives or diuretic medications, an excess of aldosterone and magnesium deficiency, in which the kidneys lose more potassium.

High potassium – what happens in the body?

A high potassium content in the cells shows well-filled stores. It becomes critical when potassium rises outside the cells: the resting potential becomes flatter, nerve and muscle cells are first over-excitable and then less excitable, tingling and muscle weakness can occur, and conduction in the heart slows down. Causes are reduced excretion via the kidneys, medications that slow potassium excretion, a lack of aldosterone and acidosis or cell breakdown, in which potassium leaks out of the cells.

The interpretation is given in your report.