Hypokalaemia in leukaemia

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...

Hypercalcaemia and hypokalaemia in tuberculosis.

In two patients with extensive pulmonary tuberculosis who developed hypercalcaemia and hypokalaemia the hypercalcaemia appeared related to the use of small doses of vitamin D, which suggested patients with tuberculosis were hypersensitive to vitamin D. They were thus similar to patients with sarcoidosis, and it is interesting that the Kveim test result was positive in both cases. The hypercalca...

Psychogenic vomiting and 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...