Table 2.
Hypokalemia causes (adapted from http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/nephrology/hypokalemia-and-hyperkalemia/)
| Increased excretion |
|---|
| GI losses |
| Diarrhea, laxative abuse, gastric suctioning |
| Renal losses |
| Loop and thiazide diuretics |
| Osmotic diuresis (uncontrolled diabetes) |
| Post-obstruction |
| Hyperaldosteronism |
| Primary hyperaldosteronism |
| Corticosteroids |
| Magnesium depletion |
| Platinum agents |
| Alcoholism |
| Cellular shifts |
| Insulin administration |
| β-Adrenergic agonists (bronchodilators, decongestants, theophylline) |
| Acute catecholamine surge (e.g., myocardial infarction) |