aetiology
Last edited 02/2018 and last reviewed 07/2021
Hyperkalaemia can be due to:
- impaired excretion
- acute kidney injury/ chronic kidney disease
- medications
- angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers
- NSAID’s
- potassium sparing diuretics
- trimethoprim
- heparin
- lithium
- decreased distal renal flow
- acute kidney injury/ chronic kidney disease
- congestive heart failure
- cirrhosis
- hypoaldosteronism
- adrenal insufficiency
- adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency
- primary renal tubular defects
- sickle cell disease
- SLE
- amyloidosis
- obstructive urpathy
- transcellular shift
- insulin deficiency/resistance
- exercise
- acidosis
- tissue necrosis or lysis (rhabdomyolysis, tumour lysis syndrome, severe burns)
- hypertonicity
- hyperglycaemia
- mannitol
- medications
- beta blockers
- digoxin toxicity
- somatostatin
- cell breakdown/leakage
- increased intake
- potassium supplementation
- red blood cell transfusion
- foods high in potassium
- figs
- molasses
- seaweed
- chocolates
- bran cereal
- vegetables (spinach, tomato, mushroom, carrots)
- dried fruits and nuts
- fruits (banana, kiwi fruit, orange, mango)
- protein calorie supplements
- penicillin G potassium
- spurious hyperkalaemia (also called pseudohyperkalaemia) (1,2)
Note:
- healthy individuals usually increase excretion when there is excess potassium consumption. Hence dietary-induced hyperkalaemia usually involves concurrent renal insufficiency (1,2).
Reference: