Potassium Imbalance: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Need to Know

When your body has too much or too little potassium, a vital electrolyte that helps nerves and muscles work properly, especially the heart. Also known as serum potassium disorder, it’s not just a lab number—it can trigger dizziness, irregular heartbeat, or even sudden muscle weakness. Most people don’t realize how easily potassium levels can shift, especially if you’re on diuretics, have kidney problems, or take certain heart or blood pressure meds.

Low potassium, or hypokalemia, often shows up after vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating. It’s common in people taking water pills or those with uncontrolled diabetes. You might feel fatigued, get muscle cramps, or notice your heart skipping beats. On the flip side, high potassium, or hyperkalemia, is more dangerous and often linked to kidney disease or medications like ACE inhibitors. It doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms until it’s too late—sudden heart rhythm changes can happen without warning. These aren’t just side effects—they’re medical red flags. Many of the posts in this collection tie directly to how medications, chronic illnesses, and even dietary habits quietly mess with your potassium balance. For example, drugs like azathioprine, an immunosuppressant used in autoimmune liver disease, or clozapine, a schizophrenia treatment that affects multiple organ systems, can indirectly influence electrolyte levels through kidney or gut side effects.

What you’ll find here isn’t just theory. These posts show real cases where medication changes, overdose risks, or chronic conditions like autoimmune hepatitis or chemotherapy-induced diarrhea led to dangerous potassium shifts. You’ll see how pharmacists help catch these issues before they become emergencies, how miscommunication in dosing can throw off your electrolytes, and why ignoring mild symptoms like fatigue or cramps can cost you more than just a bad day. This isn’t about guessing what’s wrong—it’s about knowing what to watch for, when to ask for a blood test, and how to talk to your doctor before it’s too late.