Potassium 5.8 mEq/L in your blood test results
You received your blood test result with a Potassium value of 5.8 mEq/L. This analysis helps you to check if your Potassium value is within normal range.
Your Potassium value of 5.8 mEq/L is too high. A good Potassium is usually between 3.6 and 5 mEq/L.
Lower your Potassium by 0.8 mEq/L to be within normal range.
Causes
Having high levels of potassium ('hyperkalemia'), can often be worse than having a deficiency. Dehydration, kidney failure, diabetes, and internal bleeding can all lead to high potassium levels. Additionally, ACE inhibitors and certain chemotherapy drugs have been causally linked to an excess of potassium in the blood.
Treatment & Medication
Treatments vary depending on the cause, but the main priority is to stabilize the heart. Diuretics, resin, and calcium gluconate are all used to treat high potassium. Hemodialysis is necessary when the increase is due to kidney failure.
Useful Information
Potassium is crucial for heart function, smooth muscle contraction, and digestion. Additionally, it acts as an electrolyte, conducting electricity in the body. When potassium levels stray too far from the norm, a variety of adverse consequences can occur in the body.