Urine Potassium

Random or timed urine specimen

Collect random or timed specimen per orders.  For timed specimen, record start and stop time of collection or number of hours.  To transfer specimen from large container to smaller container for transport, measure volume first and record on smaller container, along with start/stop time or hours of collection.  Timed specimens are typically collected for 24 hours, but can be collected in other increments, for example, 4 hours or 12 hours.

This test is for Potassium measurent on Urine.  For Potassium measurement on Plasma or Serum, order K.  For Potassium measurement on Body Fluids, order MISK.

24-hour urine container or sterile urine cup

Monday - Sunday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm upon receipt

Urine Volume:                   800 - 1800 mL/24 Hours
Potassium/Total Volume:  25 - 125 mmol/24 hours

Urine Potassium is useful in determining the cause for hyper- or hypokalemia.

Potassium (K+) is the major intracellular cation. Functions of potassium include regulation of neuromuscular excitability, heart contractility, intracellular fluid volume, and hydrogen ion concentration. The physiologic function of K+ requires that the body maintain a low extracellular fluid (ECF) concentration of the cation; the intracellular is 20 times greater than the extracellular K+concentration. Only 2% of total body K+ circulates in the plasma.

The kidneys provide the most important regulation of K+. The proximal tubules reabsorb almost all the filtered K+. Under the influence of aldosterone, the remaining K+ can then be secreted into the urine in exchange for sodium in both the collecting ducts and the distal tubules. Thus, the distal nephron is the principal determinant of urinary K+ excretion.

Decreased excretion of K+ in acute renal disease and end-stage renal failure are common causes of prolonged hyperkalemia.

Renal losses of K+ may occur during the diuretic (recovery) phase of acute tubular necrosis, during administration of non-potassium sparing diuretic therapy, and during states of excess mineralocorticoid or glucocorticoid.

Hypokalemia reflecting true total body deficits of K+ can be classified into renal and nonrenal losses based on the daily excretion of K+ in the urine. During hypokalemia, if urine excretion of K+ is < 30 mmol/24 Hours, it can be concluded that renal reabsorption of K+ is appropriate. In this situation, the causes for the hypokalemic state are either decreased K+ intake or extra renal loss of K+ rich fluid. Urine excretion of >30 mmol/24 Hours in a hypokalemia setting is inappropriate and indicates that the kidneys are the primary source of the lost K+.

This test is for Potassium measurent on Urine.  For Potassium measurement on Plasma or Serum, order K.  For Potassium measurement on Body Fluids, order MISK.