Decrease in total body potassium

An abnormal loss of potassium from the body is the commonest cause of hypokalaemia (1).

• medications
  • diuretics
  • laxatives and enemas
  • corticosteroids (1)
• losses from the GI tract
• losses from the renal tract associated with metabolic acidosis
• losses from the renal tract associated with metabolic alkalosis
• skin losses, e.g. excess sweating, burns
• hypomagnesemia
• dialysis/plasmapheresis (1,2)

Reference:

• (1) Kim MJ, Valerio C, Knobloch GK. Potassium Disorders: Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia. Am Fam Physician. 2023 Jan;107(1):59-70.
• (2) Kardalas E, Paschou SA, Anagnostis P, Muscogiuri G, Siasos G, Vryonidou A. Hypokalemia: a clinical update. Endocr Connect. 2018 Apr;7(4):R135-R146. doi: 10.1530/EC-18-0109.