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BDS, MDS - Oral Pathology and Microbiology

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Potassium Random Urine

You need to provide

Urine

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

No special preparation required
Urine sample must preferably be the midstream urine (part of urine that comes after first and before the last stream). Collect the urine sample in a sealed and sterile container provided by our sample collection professional. Make sure that the container doesn't come in contact with your skin. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed.

Understanding Potassium Random Urine

What is Potassium Random Urine?

This test checks for the amount of potassium in the urine . It is an essential mineral of the body and helps to maintain the amounts of water and electrolytes in the body. The unused potassium is filtered by kidneys and is excreted out in urine. Symptoms such as muscle cramps, dehydration, frequent urination, hypotension, confusion, irritability and arrhythmia might indicate abnormal level of potassium in urine.

A normal value of potassium in random urine sample should be 20 mEq/L and in 24hr urine sample should be 25 to 125 mEq per day.

Higher than normal potassium level might be an indication of diabetic acidosis, anorexia, bulimia, acute tubular necrosis, hypomagnesemia and muscle damage. Lower than normal level of potassium might be caused due to hypoaldosteronism, dehydration or certain medications.

What is Potassium Random Urine used for?

The Urine Potassium Test is performed:

· As a part of routine health check-ups to measure potassium levels in urine

· As part of check-up to diagnose kidney diseases

· To evaluate the cause of symptoms like muscular weakness, irregular heartbeats, cardiac arrhythmia, etc.

· To help diagnose conditions related to the adrenal gland like Conn’s Syndrome

· In case of abnormal results in blood potassium test

· At regular intervals to monitor the progress of disease or condition and treatment effectiveness while undergoing treatment for hypertension, kidney diseases, and metabolic acidosis

Interpreting Potassium Random Urine results

Interpretations

Normal range:

· Below 40 years age:

Males: 11 to 80meq/L

Females: 17 to 145meq/L

· Above 40 years age:

Males: 17 to 99meq/L

Females: 22 to 164meq/L

Hypokalemia or low potassium is indicated if urine potassium concentration lies below the normal range.

Hyperkalemia or high potassium is indicated if urine potassium concentration lies above the normal range.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Potassium Random Urine

Frequently Asked Questions about Potassium Random Urine

Q. When can false results appear in the Potassium Test?

False results may appear in the potassium test due to improper collection and handling of the blood specimen. If you clench and relax your fist too much during specimen collection, it will cause an elevated potassium level in your blood sample. Rough handling of the collected specimen or delay of the specimen in reaching the lab may cause potassium to leak out of the blood cells into the serum which will show a falsely increased levels.

Q. Is there any preparation required before the Urine Potassium test?

Inform the doctor about any medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before the Urine Potassium Test.

Q. How is Urine Potassium Test performed?

This test is performed on a random urine sample or on a 24-hour urine sample. For the random urine sample, you will have to urinate in a specially provided sterile container during the test which will be analyzed in the laboratory. For the 24-hour urine sample, urinate over a period of 24 hours into the specially provided sterile container for testing.

Q. Is there any risk associated with the Urine Potassium Test?

There are no risks associated with the test.

Q. What other tests can be prescribed by your doctor in case the results of the Urine Potassium Test are not normal?

Other tests that may be prescribed upon appearance of an abnormal result in the Urine Potassium Test include: · Blood Potassium Test · Electrolyte Panel Test · Kidney Function Test (KFT) · Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Q. What is hypokalemia?

Hypokalemia is a condition where the blood potassium levels are below the normal range. This may occur due to: · Low dietary potassium · Chronic vomiting and diarrhea · Kidney diseases · Hyperaldosteronism or excess production of hormone aldosterone · Acetaminophen overdose · Insulin in diabetics, especially if the condition is poorly managed · Eating disorders like anorexia · Diuretic therapy · Certain medications like corticosteroids, some antibiotic and antifungal agents, and laxatives · Cushing’s syndrome

Q. What are the symptoms of hypokalemia?

Symptoms of hypokalemia include: · Fatigue · Palpitations · A tingling sensation or feeling of numbness · Constipation · Muscle weakness or spasms which may lead to muscle damage · Feeling lightheaded or dizzy · Irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia

Q. What is hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia is the condition where blood potassium levels rise higher than the normal range. This may occur due to: · Kidney disease · Addison disease · Extensive tissue injury resulting in muscle fiber breakdown and destruction of red blood cells · Infection · Diabetes Type 1 · Dehydration · Consumption of excess dietary potassium or potassium supplements · Respiratory and metabolic acidosis · Hypoaldosteronism or reduced production or activity of hormone aldosterone · Excess potassium in intravenous fluid · Some medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ACE enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and some diuretics

Q. What are the symptoms of hyperkalemia?

Symptoms of hyperkalemia include: · Chest pain · Difficulty in breathing · Palpitations · Irregular heartbeat · Nausea and vomiting · Irregular or weak pulse · Stopping of heartbeat

Q. Which food items are a good source of potassium?

Dietary sources form the principal source of potassium. Some very commonly available food items rich in potassium are: · Bananas · Sweet potato · Tomato · Watermelon · Spinach · Beans · Lentils · Beets · Low-fat milk · Yogurt

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