Chronic, diagnosis-resistant hypokalaemia

Chronic hypokalaemia and nephrocalcinosis

Unravelling chronic hypokalaemia can be a clinical challenge in some patients. History and physical examination can be misleading or inaccurate. Diagnostic steps usually involve assessing urinary potassium excretion, transtubular potassium gradient (TTKG) and concomitant acid–base disturbances. In those patients with low urinary potassium excretion, a gastrointestinal cause for the hypokalaemia...

Chronic hypokalaemia in a hypertensive patient

Hypokalaemia in hypertensive patients is a 'red flag' bringing to mind various classic secondary and genetic causes related to both hypokalaemia and hypertension. We encountered a patient who had an unusual cause for his disturbance that, to our knowledge, has not been described in hypertensive patients.

Hypokalaemia.

OBJECTIVE To review the metabolism and function of potassium and causes and management of hypokalaemia. DATA SOURCES A review of studies reported from 1966 to 1998 and identified through a MEDLINE search of the English-language literature of hypokalaemia. SUMMARY OF REVIEW Potassium is predominantly an intracellular ion that contributes to approximately 50% of the intracellular fluid osmola...

Investigating hypokalaemia.

This series of occasional articles provides an update on the best use of key diagnostic tests in the initial investigation of common or important clinical presentations. The series advisers are Steve Atkin, professor, head of department of academic endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, Hull York Medical School; and Eric Kilpatrick, honorary professor, department of clinical biochemistry, Hul...

Psychogenic vomiting and hypokalaemia.