Serum Potassium Concentration as a Guide to Potassium Need

• The total amount of body potassium can change tremendously without disturbing potassium metabolism. Potassium depletion, a decrease in content in relation to capacity, usually results from gastrointestinal and renal loss with inadequate intake. Potassium excess, usually a decrease in capacity rather than an increase in total body potassium, occurs in the presence of renal failure. Changes in the serum potassium concentration reflect changes in body need.