Biomarker Reference · K
Potassium (K) is a clinical biomarker used in metabolic-diabetes assessment. Potassium is the principal intracellular cation, with only about 2% of total body potassium in the extracellular space. It is measured in 6 laboratory tests on BiomarkersLabs.com.
Potassium is the principal intracellular cation, with only about 2% of total body potassium in the extracellular space. Plasma concentration is regulated by renal excretion (aldosterone-mediated) and by shifts between intracellular and extracellular compartments driven by insulin, catecholamines, acid–base status, and cell turnover. Excitable tissues—cardiac and skeletal muscle, nerves—are exquisitely sensitive to changes in extracellular potassium.
Hypokalaemia predisposes to arrhythmia, muscle weakness, and metabolic alkalosis; common causes include diuretics, gastrointestinal losses, and hyperaldosteronism. Hyperkalaemia is a medical emergency when severe, often driven by renal impairment, potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or transcellular shifts in acidosis or tissue injury. Pre-analytical pseudohyperkalaemia from haemolysis or delayed separation is a frequent false alarm.
Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.
6 tests on BiomarkersLabs.com include this biomarker.
Potassium reference range in this test: Approximately 3.5–5.1 mmol/L (serum); plasma intervals run slightly lower.
Potassium reference range in this test: Approximately 3.5–5.0 mmol/L; assay-specific.
Potassium reference range in this test: 3.5–5.0 mmol/L; laboratory- and specimen-dependent.
Potassium reference range in this test: 3.5–5.0 mmol/L; varies slightly by laboratory.
Potassium reference range in this test: 3.5–5.0 mmol/L, laboratory-specific.
Potassium reference range in this test: 3.5–5.0 mmol/L (laboratory-specific).
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