What causes potassium loss?
Asked by anonymous on May 17, 2009
in Health Conditions
Other than diuretics, what causes low blood potassium levels?
Answer
Blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia) can drop whenever there is rapid loss of body fluids. Such would be the case in prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, draining fistulas, or excessive sweating without sufficient potassium replacement. The purging of bulimia may lead to low potassium levels, as can diabetic ketoacidosis, certain medications (diuretics, antibiotics and corticosteriods), and any disease that affects the kidney’s ability to retain potassium. Lack of potassium in the in diet is rarely a cause of hypokalemia.
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