Potassium - urine
Last updated: Thursday, 25, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Random or 24 hour urine specimen. |
| Method | ISE or flame emission spectrophotometry. |
| Reference Interval | 40-100 mmol/24 hours (varies with intake). |
| Application | Differentiation of renal potassium loss from other causes of hypokalaemia. |
| Interpretation | Mineralocorticoid excess, some renal tubular disorders, metabolic alkalosis, some diuretics and Bartter’s syndrome cause renal potassium loss. With decreased intake or increased GIT loss, renal potassium loss is decreased. |
| Reference | Ethier JH et al. Am J Kid Dis 1990; 15: 309-315. |