Potassium Test Price in Mangalabag

Test Description

Serum Potassium (K⁺) is the principal intracellular cation (intracellular concentration ~140 mEq/L vs. serum ~4.0 mEq/L), and its narrow serum range is critical for maintaining cardiac action potential, neuromuscular excitability, and membrane resting potential. Normal serum potassium: 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. Hypokalaemia (K⁺ <3.5 mEq/L) is caused by inadequate intake, transcellular shift (alkalosis, insulin, beta-2 agonists, refeeding syndrome), renal losses (diuretics — thiazides, loop diuretics; hyperaldosteronism; RTA type 1 and 2; Bartter syndrome; Gitelman syndrome), and GI losses (vomiting, diarrhoea, laxative abuse). Clinical manifestations include muscle weakness, cramps, constipation, polyuria, ECG changes (flattened T waves, U waves, ST depression, PVCs), and in severe cases (<2.5 mEq/L) rhabdomyolysis and life-threatening arrhythmias. Hyperkalaemia (K⁺ >5.0 mEq/L) is caused by increased intake, transcellular shift (acidosis, insulin deficiency, hyperosmolality, cell breakdown in rhabdomyolysis, haemolysis, tumour lysis), reduced renal excretion (AKI, CKD, hypoaldosteronism, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics). Hyperkalaemia is a medical emergency at >6.0 mEq/L due to risk of ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. ECG changes in hyperkalaemia progress from peaked T waves → prolonged PR → wide QRS → sine wave pattern → asystole. Pseudohyperkalaemia from haemolysed samples must be excluded before treatment.