potassiumwasting
Potassium wasting is a term used to describe processes that increase renal potassium excretion or gastrointestinal potassium losses, leading to low serum potassium (hypokalemia). It is used to distinguish conditions and treatments that cause potassium loss from those that conserve or raise potassium levels.
Causes of potassium wasting include pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic factors. Diuretics such as loop diuretics (for example,
Diagnosis typically starts with recognizing hypokalemia on blood tests and distinguishing renal from nonrenal potassium loss.
Management focuses on correcting the deficit and addressing the underlying cause. This may involve stopping or