What do the results mean?Too much potassium in the blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia, may indicate:Kidney diseaseBurns or other traumatic injuriesAddison's disease, a hormonal disorder that can cause a variety of symptoms including weakness, dizziness, weight loss, and dehydrationType 1 diabetesThe effect of medicines, such as diuretics or antibioticsIn a rare instances, a diet too high in potassium. Potassium is found in many foods, such as bananas, apricots, and avocados, and is part of a healthy diet. But eating excessive amounts of potassium-rich foods can lead to health problems.Too little potassium in the blood, a condition known as hypokalemia, may indicate:A diet too low in potassiumAlcoholismLoss of bodily fluids from diarrhea, vomiting, or use of diureticsAldosteronism, a hormonal disorder that causes high blood pressureIf your results are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical condition requiring treatment. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medicines may raise your potassium levels, while eating a lot of licorice may lower your levels. To learn what your results mean, talk to your health care provider.Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
