Clinical features
Hypokalaemia is often asymptomatic. Symptoms generally do not become present until serum potassium is below 3.0 mEq/L (1,2)
Possible signs and symptoms of hypokalaemia include:
- cardiac
- dysrhythmias
- conduction defects
- lethargy/confusion
- skeletal muscle
- weakness/rhabdomyolysis
- flaccid paralysis
- fasciculations and tetany: extensor muscle spasms of hands and feet
- paraesthesiae of hands and feet
- gastrointestinal
- ileus
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal distension
- renal
- polyuria (1)
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.
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