Biochemistry
| Full details for "Potassium". | |
|---|---|
Name |
Potassium |
Alternative name/Profile |
Renal Profile |
Department |
Biochemistry |
Investigation |
Serum potassium measurement is a useful investigation in renal disease, cardiac arrhythmias, myopathy and in diagnosing and monitoring electrolyte disturbances e.g. hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia. Serum potassium should also be considered in investigating hypertension, and in monitoring patients on diuretic treatment, potassium replacement or on renal dialysis. |
Specimen type |
Serum |
Sample type |
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Sample container & volume |
5ml- Red Tube |
Frequency of analysis |
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Turnaround time |
1 day. For acute wards turn-around-time is 1hr and 15mins. |
Availability |
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Notes |
Unspun samples should NEVER be stored in the fridge. Samples should be separated from cells if storage for more than 3 hours is anticipated. Serum potassium concentration may be up to 0.7 mmol/L higher than in plasma. Potassium concentration may be increased by muscle activity and significantly increased by significant thrombocytosis. Haemolysis can cause a positive interference in the analysis of serum potassium (K), thus causing a potential overestimation of the result. Please note that in moderately haemolysed samples Potassium results above the reference range will be reported only as > 5.3mmol/L. Similarly, Potassium results in haemolysed samples below the reference range will be reported only as either < 3.5mmol/L or < 3.0mmol/L, as appropriate. Chelating anti-coagulants such as EDTA must be avoided. EDTA contaminated samples will not be reported for Potassium. Refer to order of draw to prevent contamination.
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Related links |
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Reference range |
Serum 3.5 - 5.3 mmol/L Plasma 3.5 - 5.0 mmol/L |
Last updated |
Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:38:06 IST |