The Differences Between Hyperkalemia and Hypokalemia

Potassium is a mineral and also an electrolyte that helps your muscles, nerves, and heart function the right way.

But what happens when there’s too much or too little of it?

When the amount of potassium in your blood is too high, it causes a condition known as hyperkalemia, and if the levels are too too low, it’s called hypokalemia.

In this post, we’ll talk about ways these two conditions are different, what causes them, what symptoms they have, and how they can be treated.

Hyperkalemia vs. Hypokalemia

Table of Contents

Hyperkalemia refers to a condition where the levels of potassium in the bloodstream are higher than normal, typically above 5.5 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).

It can result from various factors, including:

Kidney problems
ACE inhibitors
Potassium-sparing diuretics
Severe tissue damage from injury
Addison’s disease
Hemolysis
Rhabdomyolysis

Hypokalemia on the other hand, is a condition that occurs due to an abnormal low potassium levels in your blood. The potassium level in the blood is lower than 3.5 mEq/L.

This condition can disrupt various bodily functions, impacting muscle contraction, nerve impulses, and heart rhythm regulation.

Causes of hypokalemia:

A diet lacking in potassium-rich foods
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Too much sweating
Laxatives
Cushing’s syndrome

Symptoms and Signs

Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia have different symptoms due to their opposite effects on the body.

Hyperkalemia symptoms:

Muscle weakness
Fatigue
Palpitations
Nausea and vomiting
Cardiac arrhythmias
Cardiac arrest

Hypokalemia Symptoms:

Muscle cramps and spasms
Fatigue
Weakness
Constipation
Irregular heartbeats
Respiratory failure
Cardiac arrest

Diagnosis and Medical Evaluation

Hyperkalemia Diagnostic Tests:

Blood Potassium Test. Measures potassium levels if it is extremely high.
Electrocardiogram. An ECG helps identify abnormal heart rhythms linked with high potassium levels.
Kidney Function Test. This test may be conducted to identify the root cause of hyperkalemia.

Hypokalemia Diagnostic Tests:

Potassium Test: Similar to hyperkalemia, blood tests are used to measure if potassium levels are extremely low.
Urine Tests: Determines potassium excretion and help identify the cause of potassium loss.
ECG: This may be done to evaluate any cardiac abnormalities related to low potassium levels.

Treatment of Hyperkalemia

The treatment for hyperkalemia aims to reduce potassium levels in your blood. In case of emergency, treatment may include:

Intravenous calcium, insulin, or sodium bicarbonate may be used to lower potassium levels.
Medications like Diuretics and Kayexalate may be prescribed to help in potassium excretion.
Treating kidney dysfunction

Hypokalemia Management

Treating hypokalemia is all about increasing potassium at optimal levels, without exceeding the normal range. This can be done in the following ways:

Oral potassium supplement may be prescribed to raise potassium levels.
Eating a diet rich in potassium, like bananas, oranges, and potatoes, to keep your potassium levels balanced.

Complications

Hyperkalemia Complications:

Severe hyperkalemia can disrupt normal heart rhythms and lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.
High potassium levels affects muscle and nerve function, leading to weakness and tingling sensations.
Chronic hyperkalemia can negatively affect kidney function, worsening the condition.

Hypokalemia Complications:

Prolonged hypokalemia can cause severe muscle weakness and impair physical activities.
Low potassium levels can disrupt metabolic processes in the body.

Conclusion: Differences Between Hyperkalemia and Hypokalemia

Potassium is a mineral that helps our muscles, nerves, and heart function properly.

However, imbalances of potassium in the blood causes hyperkalemia (high levels) and hypokalemia (low levels).

Hyperkalemia results from kidney issues, medications, or severe injuries, while hypokalemia can happen due to a potassium-deficient diet and excessive sweating.

These conditions have different symptoms and can be diagnosed through blood and urine tests, as well as electrocardiogram.

Treatment involves reducing potassium levels for hyperkalemia and increasing them for hypokalemia.

It’s important to manage potassium levels to avoid complications, so as to maintain good health.