What Should Be Normal Serum Potassium Levels In Our Body?

Posted on Mon, 17 Feb 2014

Question: Potassium 3.9 5 hours before it was 3.5 took 30 meq .while it was 3.9 can something happen ? Too much ? Answer asap

Answered by Dr. Praveen (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Normal limits, not high, do not worry Detailed Answer: Hi.Thanks for writing on XXXXXXX Normal serum potassium levels in our body has to be maintained between 3.5 to 5meq/l.Since your potassium levels (3.9 meq/l) are within the normal range you need not worry about it. Variation(low/high) of potassium can cause irregular heart beat and abnormal functioning of the heart. Hope this answers your query. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (1 hour later)

I took 30 meq while it was 3.9 can that harm me? Will it go to high now

Answered by Dr. Praveen (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Potassium in the blood will be 4.2 & is still safe Detailed Answer: Thanks for writing me back. Normally 10meq will increase 0.1meq potassium levels in serum.That means 30meq will raise your potassium by approximately 0.3 which accounts to 4.2 (3.9+0.3) in your blood, which is still within the normal limits and is safe. It is not all high. Having said that, using potassium supplements without doctors supervision can be detrimental. So never do that again. Hope this answers your query.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad