If you need to know which are the potassium reference ranges or you require more information about the role of potassium in the blood, you can visit normal potassium level in the blood
Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) is usually due to:
Potassium blood values are usually given in mEq/L but sometimes you can see these values in mmol/l following the International System of Units (SI). Numeric values are similar in mmol/L or in mEq/L
Hyperkalemia or high potassium blood levels mean:
Your potassium level is a bit high but if you do not have any other symptom it may be due only to an excessive potassium consumption.
If you feel weak and tired contact your doctor.
Your potassium level is moderately high and to make an appointment with your doctor is advisable. It can be a sign that the kidneys cannot remove enough potassium from the body.
You can have symptoms like weakness, fatigue, irregular heart rate or breathing problems.
Marked hyperkalemia is related with altered mental status, extreme muscle weakness or paralysis and difficulty breathing.
It is necessary to reduce this dangerous level so you need to visit your doctor as soon as possible.
A potassium level of 7 mEq/dL or greater is a medical emergency requiring urgent treatment.
Severe hyperkalemia causes serious cardiac dysrhythmias and can lead to a cardiac arrest.
Very high potassium levels can be seen also in case of pseudohyperkalemia. This situation is a consequence of an improper technique during collection, storage, and transport of blood products. It requires a new blood sample to confirm a true hyperkalemia.
There are some circumstances or drugs than can raise your potassium blood levels:
Having higher-than-normal levels of potassium in the blood can be the result of a variety of medical conditions and diseases that include:
If your potassium blood level is slightly high, you can consider the following tips:
You can visit our pages about:
The following values are considered to be above the normal range:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in mEq/L (mmol/L). They are an example for a healthy man of about 45 years of age with no known disease, not taking any medication and with an appropriate intake of potassium in diet. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
Potassium | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild hyperkalemia | |||||||
| 5.2 mEq/L | 5.3 mEq/L | 5.4 mEq/L | 5.5 mEq/L | ||||
| Moderate hyperkalemia | |||||||
| 5.6 mEq/L | 5.7 mEq/L | 5.8 mEq/L | 5.9 mEq/L | 6 mEq/L | |||
| Marked hyperkalemia | |||||||
| 6.1 mEq/L | 6.2 mEq/L | 6.3 mEq/L | 6.4 mEq/L | 6.5 mEq/L | 6.6 mEq/L | 6.7 mEq/L | 6.8 mEq/L |
| 6.9 mEq/L | 7 mEq/L | ||||||
| Severe hyperkalemia | |||||||
| 7.1 mEq/L | 7.2 mEq/L | 7.3 mEq/L | 7.4 mEq/L | 7.5 mEq/L | 7.6 mEq/L | 7.7 mEq/L | 7.8 mEq/L |
| 7.9 mEq/L | 8 mEq/L | 8.1 mEq/L | 8.2 mEq/L | 8.3 mEq/L | 8.4 mEq/L | 8.5 mEq/L | 8.6 mEq/L |
| 8.7 mEq/L | 8.8 mEq/L | 8.9 mEq/L | 9 mEq/L | ||||
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