What Causes Hypokalemia?

Chronic Kidney Disease

Certain types of chronic kidney disease can lead to hypokalemia. In most cases, potassium levels are more likely to become too high than too low because the kidneys aren't able to filter it as well as they should. However, some kidney diseases can cause an individual's potassium levels to lower. Bartter syndrome is a rare kidney disorder that occurs due to genetics, and it causes potassium and salt levels to become imbalanced. Bartter syndrome consists of several related conditions that cause substance imbalances. It's usually apparent very quickly, and in some cases, the syndrome is apparent before birth because of the increase in fluid surrounding the fetus. Another rare genetic kidney disorder is Gitelman syndrome, which causes the ions throughout the body to become imbalanced. Gitelman syndrome tends to affect calcium, magnesium, and potassium ions. This syndrome doesn't typically present with symptoms until late childhood or further in adolescence.

Get the details on more reasons for low potassium now.