Do I Have Potassium Deficiency (Hypokalemia)?

Do you feel weak and tired, even after a good night’s sleep?

Do you have muscles cramps, aches and spasms?

Do you have cramps in your arms or legs that sometimes may result in total inability to move?

Do you feel tingling or numbness in your body?

Do you feel bloated or have abdominal cramping?

Do you have constipation?

Do you have excessive urination and the urge to drink water frequently?

Do you have heart palpitations (feeling that your heart beat irregularly)?

Do you have an extremely low blood pressure that may cause fainting?

Do you have difficulty concentrating or lost of interest in daily activities?

Do you feel depressed or have delusions or hallucinations?

Do you eat a lot of food high in sodium such as processed food and junk food (chips, frozen meals, crackers)?

Do you take prescription medications called water pills or diuretics (medicines for treating high blood pressure or heart disease)?

Are you a woman or African-American?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have potassium deficiency. Potassium is a mineral, vital for the proper function of your muscles, heart and your nervous system. Normal blood potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.1 mmol/L. Potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) means that your levels of potassium are lower than normal. A slight drop in potassium in your blood will not necessarily cause symptoms. If you take more potassium than you need, your kidneys will remove it through the urinary system to maintain the right balance of minerals in your body. Good sources of potassium are fresh fruits and vegetables, beef, milk, mushroom, and fish.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have potassium deficiency. Potassium deficiency or hypokalemia means that you have low levels of potassium in your blood. Potassium is a very important mineral that enables the proper functioning of your muscles, nervous system and heart. It also prevents your blood pressure from being too high. There are many reasons for potassium deficiency, but the most common are: use of water pills (diuretics), persistent diarrhea and chronic laxative abuse. In order to diagnose hypokalemia, your doctor will order blood and urine tests. Hypokalemia is usually treated with potassium supplements.

n Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have potassium deficiency, also called hypokalemia.