Potassium
Above the range on your report6.9 mmol/Lrange on your report: 3.5–5.1
Potassium is an electrolyte concentrated inside cells and is important for nerve and muscle function, including the heart. Laboratories treat markedly abnormal potassium results as needing prompt attention.
Questions to ask
- Should this be repeated on a fresh sample?
- Do any of my medicines affect potassium?
A difficult blood draw can release potassium from cells and raise the measured value, so an unexpected result is often repeated. Reference ranges differ between laboratories.