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Potassium urine test
Urine potassium
The potassium urine test measures the amount of potassium in a certain amount of urine.
How the Test is Performed
After you provide a urine sample, it is tested in the lab. If needed, the health care provider may ask you to collect your urine at home over 24 hours . Your provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.
Collect your urine at home over 24 hour
The urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amount of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into t...
How to Prepare for the Test
Your provider may ask you to temporarily stop taking any medicines that may affect the test results. Tell your provider about all the medicines you take, including:
- Corticosteroids
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Potassium supplements
- Water pills (diuretics)
DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
How the Test will Feel
This test involves only normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
Your provider may order this test if you have signs of a condition that affects body fluids, such as dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea.
It may also be done to diagnose or confirm disorders of the kidneys or adrenal glands .
Adrenal glands
The adrenal glands are two triangle-shaped glands. One gland is located on top of each kidney.
Normal Results
The usual range for a person on a regular diet is 25 to 125 mEq/l per day. Lower or higher urinary level may occur depending on the amount of potassium in your diet and the amount of potassium in your body.
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A higher than normal urine potassium level may be due to:
-
Diabetic acidosis
and other forms of metabolic acidosis
Diabetic acidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the body cannot use sugar (glucose) as a fuel ...
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-
Kidney problems, such as damage to kidney cells called tubule cells (
acute tubular necrosis
)
Acute tubular necrosis
Acute tubular necrosis is a kidney disorder involving damage to the tubule cells of the kidneys, which can lead to acute kidney failure.
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- Muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)
Low urine potassium level may be due to:
- Certain medicines, including beta blockers, lithium, trimethoprim, potassium-sparing diuretics, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
-
Adrenal glands
releasing too little hormone (hypoaldosteronism)
Adrenal glands
The adrenal glands are two triangle-shaped glands. One gland is located on top of each kidney.
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Risks
There are no risks with this test.
References
Batlle D, Chen S, Haque SK. Physiologic principles in the clinical evaluation of electrolyte, water, and acid-base disorders. In: Alpern RJ, Orson WM, Caplan M, eds. Seldin and Giebisch's The Kidney . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 74.
Gerber GS, Brendler CB. Evaluation of the urologic patient: history, physical examination, and urinalysis. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, et al, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 3.
McPherson RA, Ben-Ezra J. Basic examination of urine. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 28.
Review Date: 8/29/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
