Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Potassium (urine)

Suitable Specimen Types

Plain Spot Urine 24 Hour Urine Plain

Potassium (urine)

Specimen Volume

Random or 24 hour collection

Sample Preparation

Usual

Turnaround Time

1 Day

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

4oC

General Information

Urinary potassium is a useful test in the differential diagnosis of hypokalaemia.

In hypokalaemia, a random urine potassium concentration > 20 mmol/L suggests renal potassium loss, and <20 mmol/L suggests gastrointestinal potassium loss respectively as being the cause of the hypokalaemia.

Patient Preparation

None

Notes

Urine potassium can be measured in a 24h urine or a random urine

Reference Range

None given. Interpret in conjunction with the serum concentration

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/potassium/tab/test

Related Tests

Bicarbonate Cortisol Creatinine Magnesium (serum) Potassium (serum) Urine Electrolytes

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

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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