{"id":8957,"date":"2025-04-06T14:13:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T11:13:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=8957"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:54:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:54:33","slug":"i-am-very-curious-why-this-indicator-is-so-important-for-my-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/i-am-very-curious-why-this-indicator-is-so-important-for-my-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Potassium level: why this indicator is critically important for health"},"content":{"rendered":"

Potassium in the blood: biological essence and role<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Potassium is one of the leading intracellular electrolytes. It regulates the excitability of nerve fibers, muscles (including the myocardium), maintains acid-base balance, pressure inside cells, ensures the transport of nutrients and the removal of metabolic products. Only about 2% of the total volume of potassium in the body circulates in plasma, but it is this concentration that is crucial for the functioning of vital systems.<\/p>\n

Monitoring potassium levels in the blood<\/a> \u2014 this an important marker of both acute conditions (heart attack, dehydration, renal failure) and chronic processes<\/strong>, related to metabolism, cardiovascular and hormonal regulation.<\/p>\n

Potassium level in blood plasma<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Reference values may vary between laboratories, but are usually considered normal:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Category<\/th>\nPotassium norm (mmol\/l)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Adults<\/td>\n3.5 \u2013 5.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Children under 12 years old<\/td>\n3.4 \u2013 4.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
People with chronic kidney disease<\/td>\nup to 5.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Fluctuations of even \u00b10.5 mmol\/L from normal can affect heart rhythm and neuromuscular transmission.<\/p>\n

\"Diagram:<\/p>\n

Causes of potassium level disorders<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Decrease (hypokalemia)<\/h4>\n