How much should the normal amount of potassium be in the body? Potassium in the blood: norms, reasons for the increase

Potassium is one of the most important electrolytes in the human body. It is involved in the operation of buffer subsystems that prevent any Negative consequences when it changes internal environment. Potassium and magnesium control water levels inside cells.

Daily human need

Typically, for an adult, the daily intake of potassium is from one to two grams. Young growing organisms require this substance in quantities of at least thirty milligrams per kilogram of total mass bodies. Potassium deficiency in the body can be detected in the spring. Its increased content in the blood is observed mainly in autumn and winter.

The body of adults should contain at least 250 mg of potassium. It is necessary to understand that such a substance does not have the ability to accumulate, and therefore its deficiency may occur against the background of incorrectly constructed daily diet. In addition, it is worth noting that potassium and magnesium constantly interact in the body. That is why the optimal ratio of these substances is their content of one to two, the level of metabolism directly depends on this.

What products contain?

High levels of potassium can be found in foods such as meat, beef liver. There is a lot of it in red tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, new potatoes, legumes, citrus fruits, grapes, bananas, melon and prunes. Green crops include parsley, asparagus, horseradish, onion, and spinach.

In addition, potassium is found in rye bread, nut butter, oat and wheat cereals.

Among the drinks special role milkshakes, cocoa, chicory, black tea are played.

To preserve the original potassium content in products during cooking, it is better to process them in a water bath or in a double boiler.

The amount of potassium in the blood is regulated by the following substances:

insulin;
catecholamines (adrenaline, norepinephrine);
aldosterone (a hormone produced by the kidneys).

Low levels of potassium in the blood are called hypokalemia. It is characterized by a decrease in potassium content in the blood below the level of 3.5 mmol/l.

Exceeding the normative concentration of potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia. In this case, its concentration may exceed 6.0 mmol/l.

Main causes of hypokalemia

Let's consider what are the main reasons for the development of hypokalemia in an adult. The most significant prerequisites this state are:

Compliance strict diet, with a small potassium content.
Postoperative or post-traumatic period, when the human body is weakened and needs additional sources of potassium.
Prenatal and postpartum periods among women.
Complex injuries to the head and cranial vaults.
Stress and stress can reduce potassium states of shock body.
Thyroid dysfunction.
Administration of an excessive dose of insulin.
Use of certain medications.
Dehydration human body (vomiting reflex, frequent diarrhea).
Intestinal and gastric disorders.

Since a substance such as potassium is present in almost all human organs and cells, its symptoms low content very pronounced. Let's analyze the main symptoms of hypokalemia.

Symptoms low indicators potassium in blood:

Profound work disorders nervous systems s of a person, accompanied by constant drowsiness, general weakness, periodic tremor in the upper extremities.
Noticeable malfunctions of cardio-vascular system. Against this background, the number of heart contractions increases, murmurs are heard in the heart area, shortness of breath and moist rales appear in the chest.
Changes in normal operation gastrointestinal tract. There is a decrease or complete absence appetite, bloating and flatulence, occasional vomiting, intestinal obstruction.
Violations hormonal levels women. In this regard, glucose intolerance occurs, sudden changes blood pressure, abnormalities of the renal system.

As already noted, hyperkalemia can occur when the content of potassium and magnesium in a person’s blood increases above 6.0 mmol/l. What causes this condition?

Causes of hyperkalemia in humans:

eating a diet with a high concentration of potassium;
labor in women;
presence of signs of acute renal failure;
changes in the water composition of the body due to diarrhea, vomiting, increased sweating, frequent urination;
the presence of extensive burns;
alcohol syndrome;
poisoning the body with ethyl alcohol;
high level glucose in the body;
pulmonary tuberculosis;
diabetes of the first and second types;
symptoms of exceeding the norm.

What is expressed in elevated potassium in blood? What changes in the body result from exceeding its permissible value?

Changes in the functioning of both nervous and muscular systems. This is expressed in an acute feeling of anxiety, the appearance of goose bumps, muscle weakness, and subsequently paralysis of the limbs.
Acute disorders of the heart muscle and lungs. These conditions are characterized by arrhythmia, partial cardiac arrest, abnormal heart rate, and rapid breathing.
Renal dysfunction and genitourinary system. When analyzing the composition of blood and urine, an increased protein content is detected. The number of urinations is reduced, until anuria appears.

How can you find out the composition of a person's blood?

If a person experiences any ailments, it is necessary to do general analysis blood. To do this, you should contact your local physician at the clinic at your place of residence. It is he who will give directions for completing all the necessary studies.

In order to do a test for potassium and magnesium levels, you need to come to the clinic in the morning on an empty stomach and donate blood from a vein.

According to the results laboratory research The therapist will prescribe prescriptions, thanks to which the content of both magnesium and potassium in the blood will return to normal, and the person’s condition will significantly improve.

The electrolytes that make up the blood plasma take part in many biochemical processes. A test for potassium in the blood is carried out during the diagnostic process various diseases, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of therapy. The presence of this microorganism in the blood depends on its intake from food and the degree of its elimination from the body.

Despite the fact that the concentration of substances called microelements is quite low, these substances play important role in ensuring the vital functions of the body. Therefore, an analysis of the content of a particular microelement in the blood is important. diagnostic examination. In particular, if the level of potassium in the body is low or high, this cannot but affect the state of health.

The role of the trace element

Potassium performs very important functions in the body; it takes part:

in the process of muscle contraction, including the heart muscle;
in ensuring the conduction of nerve impulses;
in the formation of enzymes and ensuring the processes of metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates;
necessary to ensure normal functions kidney;
supports intestinal activity;
Helps maintain stable blood pressure.

This trace element is a positively charged ion. Potassium is located mainly inside the cell and performs its functions in close relationship with sodium, which, on the contrary, is located mainly in the intercellular space. As a result of this interaction, a potassium-sodium “pump” is formed, ensuring the maintenance of membrane potential.

In pregnant women, the need for potassium increases, since by the end of the gestation period the total blood volume increases significantly. With a lack of potassium, pregnant women experience fatigue, leg muscle cramps, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Indications

The doctor may prescribe a test for potassium levels in the blood if there are any clinical manifestations imbalance of this element.

Symptoms of increase

The manifestations of hyperkalemia are quite varied; a high level of this microelement affects the activity of the nervous and muscular systems, the functions of the lungs, kidneys and heart muscle. The main symptoms of hyperkalemia, that is, a condition in which increased level potassium in the body:

muscle weakness;
paralysis and paresthesia;
feeling of restlessness;
a decrease in the amount of urine excreted per day, the appearance of protein compounds and blood in the urine;
cardiac arrhythmias;
breathing disorders.

Advice! If the potassium level exceeds 10 mmol/l, the risk of cardiac arrest increases significantly.

Low level symptoms

If the potassium level is significantly reduced, a condition called hypokalemia develops. It is manifested by the following symptoms:

weakness, fatigue, trembling hands;
the appearance of a heart murmur, a decrease in the frequency of contractions;
the appearance of shortness of breath, moist rales in the lungs;
disruption of the gastrointestinal tract (flatulence, vomiting);

Advice! In severe cases of hypokalemia, intestinal paresis and obstruction develop.

copious discharge urine;
the appearance of glucose intolerance.

Procedure

If there are signs of potassium imbalance in the body, the doctor will order a test to determine the level of this substance. An analysis is performed using a blood sample. It is necessary to submit the material in the morning, strictly on an empty stomach. No special preparation is required for the study, you just need to avoid consuming the following the day before:

alcohol;
fatty, spicy, pickled foods.

In the laboratory, a potassium test can be carried out:

titration method;
using an automatic analyzer.

Advice! Using an automatic analyzer allows you to get more exact result, therefore it is preferable to carry out analysis using this method.

When conducting a blood test for potassium content, the norm for the content of this microelement for adult women and men (including women during pregnancy) is the same.

Reference values (in mol/l):

the norm for infants under one year of age is 4.1-5.3;
the norm for girls and boys under 14 years old is 3.4-4.7;
the norm for adolescents of both sexes over 14 years of age and adult men and women, including for women during pregnancy, is 3.5-5.5.

Critical potassium levels for adult women and men are:

less than 2.5 mmol/l;
more than 6.0 mmol/l.

Increased level

What reasons can lead to the fact that the critical norm for potassium content is exceeded?

If the analysis shows elevated potassium levels, this may be due to the following conditions:

excessive intake of microelements into the body;
reduction in output intensity;
transition of a microelement into the extracellular space.

Excessive intake of potassium into the body can be caused by the following reasons:

uncontrolled use of drugs containing microelements;
diet with increased content potassium;
blood transfusion.

Often, elevated potassium levels are caused by insufficient kidney function, which impairs the excretion of the trace element in the urine.

The norm of microelement content can be exceeded when potassium moves from cells into the intercellular space. This condition may be caused by:

deep burns;
acidosis;
disintegration of tumors;
a decrease in the volume of intracellular fluid - dehydration caused by diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, etc.

If the potassium content is very high, it is necessary to use Urgent measures to save a person's life. To reduce the level of microelement in the blood, hemodialysis can be performed, sodium bicarbonate and a mixture of insulin and glucose are administered intravenously.

Reduced level

If there is a decrease in the level of a microelement, then the causes of this condition may be related to:

With long-term use diuretics and some other drugs, as well as chronic diseases kidney In this case, the decrease in level is due to increased excretion of the microelement from the body;
fasting, long-term compliance low-calorie diet;
undergoing treatment with insulin, glucose;
for some types of anemia.

So, a test for potassium content in the body can be prescribed if symptoms of an imbalance of the element are noticed. If the norm is exceeded or the analysis shows too low level potassium content, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment to restore balance.

A blood test is done to check the level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an important electrolyte that helps maintain water balance body.

In addition to doing this very important function, potassium is also responsible for the functioning of nerves, heart and other muscles.

Potassium levels directly depend on how much sodium is in the body. This is an inversely proportional relationship, which means when the blood potassium level increases, the potassium level automatically decreases. Thanks to a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, the body regulates potassium levels.

Blood pH (acidity) and kidney function are also important factors affecting the level of potassium in the blood. Cancer treatment and some special drugs can also reduce it.

Usually balanced diet is able to provide the body with the required amount of potassium. Citrus fruits, prunes, figs, bananas and potatoes are rich in it.

However, sometimes, even with proper nutrition, potassium is excreted from the body in the urine. If its level is reduced, then the kidneys are not coping with their functions and, therefore, they need to be checked.

Symptoms of potassium deficiency (hypokalemia)

Abnormal potassium levels can cause many diseases. Symptoms of potassium deficiency: cramps, diarrhea, nausea, low blood pressure, irritability, increased urination, confusion, irregular heartbeat, and even paralysis.

People who are being treated with diuretics have their potassium levels checked regularly. These same tests are also performed during treatments aimed at normalizing the level of this electrolyte, lowering blood pressure and treating cancer.

Normal potassium levels in adults and children

In adults, the normal level of potassium in the blood is 3.5-5.5 mmol/l, in children under 12 months this value is 4.1-5.3 mmol/l, and up to 14 years – 3.4-4, 7 mmol/l. Any values higher than these (hyperkalemia) may cause kidney damage ( acute failure and impaired excretion of potassium) and adrenal glands, body cells, dehydration, shock.

Hyperkalemia can be caused by severe burns, heart attack, diabetic ketoacidosis and taking certain medications.

Potassium deficiency is associated with diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Cushing's syndrome, Barter's syndrome, dropsy and others. Heavy ones lead to him physical exercise and the use of diuretics.

Video

The role of potassium in the body is colossal. From this chemical element depends not only normal functioning excretory, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems, but also other processes in the body. Despite the fact that it is perfectly absorbed when taken with food and the list of foods containing potassium is quite extensive, it is quickly eliminated from the body. For this reason, it is important to maintain the balance of this element and eliminate the possibility of its deficiency.

In the body, potassium is involved in many processes and performs a number of functions, including:

Maintaining optimal intracellular pressure due to the sodium-potassium balance, which is provided by this element along with sodium.
Thanks to the first point, as well as the participation of potassium in the formation of “fuel” from glucose, proper contraction of muscle fibers, including cardiac ones, is ensured.
Maintains fluid composition inside cells.
Supports acid-base balance in liquid media of the human body (included in their composition).
It is a catalyst in a number of organic reactions, including those that promote endurance and oxygenate the brain.
Participates in the normal functionality of the kidneys, helps prevent swelling and slagging.
Impulse conductivity and nervous excitability are also provided by potassium.

The deficiency of this chemical element in the body has its own name - hypokalemia. If a person experiences any of the following symptoms, they should consult a doctor immediately. So, there is a high probability of hypokalemia if:

disturbances in heart rhythm;
irritability;
tremor of hands, feet;
coordination problems;
muscle weakness, frequent seizures, pain;
constant drowsiness;
fast fatiguability.

Among the reasons that could provoke potassium deficiency in the body are physical overload with profuse sweating, as well as:

This element enters the body with food insufficient quantities or the diet is dominated by foods with high content sodium;
stressful state;
use of diuretics, hormonals or laxatives medicines resulting in excessive fluid loss.

Excess potassium: symptoms, causes

In medicine, it is better known as hyperkalemia and can occur for the following reasons:

disturbance of potassium metabolism;
insulin deficiency conditions;
renal failure;
taking medications for a long time when there is no need to take them.

An excess of this chemical element in the body is accompanied by characteristic symptoms, among which:

frequent urination;
colic;
arrhythmia;
increased excitability;
sweating;
muscle paralysis.

It should be noted that failure to resolve this problem in a timely manner may lead to diabetes mellitus Therefore, it is extremely important to reduce potassium levels to normal in a timely manner and maintain its correct balance.

The athlete's body for a reason intensive training and large energy losses, there is a particularly urgent need for potassium in sufficient quantities. This element is involved in the functioning of the neuromuscular system, and when intensive loads Potassium is excreted from the body through sweat. Potassium helps restore strength after training, so it is definitely contained in drinks for athletes, which must be consumed after exercise. According to experts, food eaten after training should be as rich in potassium as possible.

How much potassium should you consume daily?

The daily intake of an element directly depends on age category person. Children are recommended to take 15–30 mg per kilogram of weight, adults - one gram(minimum daily allowance). When potassium intake is below the specified norm over a long period of time, severe hypokalemia begins to develop.

The optimal dose of this element is considered two grams per day for adults, and for athletes and active people the norm increases to 3 grams. However, during training for recruiting muscle mass It is better to increase the daily potassium intake to 4-5 grams.

The list of products containing this element is headed by cocoa and dried apricots. They contain 2.5 and 1.7 grams of potassium per 100 grams of product, respectively. Next come cheeses and milk. This element is also found in mushrooms, dried fruits, spinach, nuts, potatoes, bananas, avocados, peaches, tomatoes, beets, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, oatmeal, and buckwheat.

It's important to know that a large number of potassium remains in the water, so it is not recommended to soak foods and steam them if possible. In addition, many foods can be eaten raw.

Vitamins

The balance of potassium in the body can be easily maintained by including in the diet sufficient quantity products containing this element. For this reason, potassium-containing dietary supplements are prescribed only in cases where hypokalemia is diagnosed.

There are drugs that are prescribed as part of the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. You should take a product that contains magnesium and potassium only as prescribed by your doctor.

Vitamin complexes also contain potassium - about 2% of the norm per day. In special quality complexes for athletes this element is always contained along with magnesium and pyroxidine. In this case, it is better to choose products from global manufacturers. You can also restore potassium balance with sports drinks taken at the end of your workout.

In fact, if you take the issue of nutrition seriously and ensure that you get it into your body daily norm this element, do not need any additional medications, except that general strengthening vitamins. And if symptoms indicating a potassium imbalance appear, you should first contact medical institution where the doctor will prescribe treatment.

Why potassium deficiency is dangerous - Video

Zinc in the human body