Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Potassium (serum)

Suitable Specimen Types

Li Hep Whole Blood Serum

Potassium (serum)

Specimen Volume

2.0 mL blood

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge - do not leave on cells overnight

Turnaround Time

1 day

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

14 days at 4°C

General Information

Potassium is the main intracellular cation. Small changes in the distribution of potassium can give rise to medical emergencies. The serum and urine concentrations of potassium reflect a complex interplay of hormonal and other systems that regulate the intracellular content. The main regulators of potassium concentrations in serum and urine are, insulin, aldosterone, catecholamines and acid base status. Diseases of the kidney, adrenal and any process that affects acid base disturbance will affect plasma potassium concentration. Crush injuries are also a cause of hyperkalaemia.

High potassium concentrations can give rise to a medical emergency requiring rapid intervention. Changes in potassium concentration affect the electrical conductivity of muscles and cardiac muscle and in high concentrations can cause cardiac arrest.

Patient Preparation

None

Notes

Samples left on cells and haemolysed samples will not be analysed

Note: Insulin, corticosteroids, furosemide, thiazides can decrease potassium. Potassium sparing diurectics, ACE inhibitors can increase potassium.

Reference Range

• Adults: 3.5 – 5.3 mmol/L
• Neonates: 3.4 – 6.0 mmol/L
• Infant: 3.5 – 5.7 mmol/L
• 1-16 years: 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/L

Source of Reference Range

Pathology Harmony

Specifications

  • EQA Status:

    NEQAS

  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Related Tests

Bicarbonate Creatine Kinase (CK) Creatinine Glucose (Plasma) Magnesium (serum) Potassium (urine) Sodium

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Thursday, 19 December 2019

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962