Reasons for Potassium Loss

Potassium is an important element in the body, because its job is to make sure our bodies maintain the correct level of water. A loss of potassium in the body is largely due to illnesses, conditions or medications in which a lot of water is lost.

Kidney Disease

• There are some kidney diseases, like renal failure or renal tubular acidosis, that can cause a loss of potassium. Kidney disease raises the production of a hormone called aldosterone. When there is too much aldosterone in the body, the kidney excretes potassium.

Gastrointestinal Tract

• Vomiting and diarrhea are the two most common reasons for potassium loss. Vomiting and diarrhea could be the result of illness or they could be self-inflicted through the taking of laxatives or through self-induced vomiting in eating disorders such as bulimia.

Medications

• Many medications will cause a loss of potassium as a side effect. Potassium is created in the kidneys, so diuretics, which clean out the kidneys, are the most common medications that cause low potassium. Other medications that can have the same effect are insulin, prednisone, amphotericin B, tobramycin, gentamicin, steroids, bronchodilators and theophylline.

Extreme Diets

• Most people don't need to make an effort to eat foods with potassium, because the kidney will conserve what potassium the body does get. The exception is when somebody goes on a very extreme diet that requires a very low amount of calories. The starvation that some people with eating disorders go through will also cause low levels of potassium.

Cystic Fibrosis

• Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the glands in the body that make sweat and mucus. Potassium levels can be reduced because of all the water lost in sweat and mucus.