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Potassiummmol/L
Potassium is an electrolyte important for heart and muscle function. Small changes matter, and sample handling can affect it.
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What Potassium measures
Potassium is an electrolyte important for heart and muscle function. Small changes matter, and sample handling can affect it.
If your Potassium is low
Potassium below the range is commonly associated with diuretics, vomiting or diarrhea, or low intake.
Commonly associated with
- Diuretic medication
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Low dietary intake
- Magnesium level
If your Potassium is high
Potassium above the range matters for heart rhythm, but a common cause is sample handling (delayed processing or a tight tourniquet), so a repeat is often the first step.
Commonly associated with
- Sample handling artefact
- Kidney function
- Medications such as ACE inhibitors or potassium supplements
Typical reference range
| Group | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Adults | 3.5 – 5.2 mmol/L |
Typical adult values used by many US labs. Your own report prints the range your lab validated for its method, and that range is the one that counts. Labwise always uses the printed range first.
If it is within range
Your potassium is within the range printed by your lab.
Also listed as
K, Potassium, Serum
Related tests
This page is general information about what a laboratory test measures and what results outside a reference range are commonly associated with. It is not medical advice, does not diagnose any condition and does not replace your clinician. Discuss your results with your healthcare provider.