5,421
edits
Potassium: Difference between revisions
no edit summary
(Created page with "'''Potassium''' is an abundant electrolyte in the body, and potassium ion (K+) is the dominant cation in the intracellularcellular space. 98% of all potassium in the body is intracellular. In the intracellular space the concentration is approx 150 mM, while in the extracellular space it is just 3.5 – 5.5 mM. The serum potassium level depends in two things: * The internal potassium balance, the balance between the intracellular and extracellular compartments * The ext...") |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Potassium''' is an abundant electrolyte in the body, and potassium ion (K+) is the dominant cation in the intracellularcellular space. 98% of all potassium in the body is intracellular. In the intracellular space the concentration is approx 150 mM, while in the extracellular space it is just 3.5 – 5.5 mM. | <section begin="clinical biochemistry" />'''Potassium''' is an abundant electrolyte in the body, and potassium ion (K+) is the dominant cation in the intracellularcellular space. 98% of all potassium in the body is intracellular. In the intracellular space the concentration is approx 150 mM, while in the extracellular space it is just 3.5 – 5.5 mM. | ||
The serum potassium level depends in two things: | The serum potassium level depends in two things: | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
The daily intake of potassium in the diet is approximately 40 – 120 mmol K+. This extra potassium reaches the extracellular space and not the cells in normal cases. 90% of excreted potassium is excreted by the kidneys, the remaining through the <abbr>GI</abbr> tract. | The daily intake of potassium in the diet is approximately 40 – 120 mmol K+. This extra potassium reaches the extracellular space and not the cells in normal cases. 90% of excreted potassium is excreted by the kidneys, the remaining through the <abbr>GI</abbr> tract. | ||
<section end="clinical biochemistry" /> | |||
== Factors influencing potassium levels == | == Factors influencing potassium levels == | ||