Potassium

Normal  ~ 5mmol/l

Daily Requirement ~80mmol

• High intracellular (~145 mmol/l)

• Low extracellular (~5 mmol/l)

Factors influencing distribution between cells and ECF

Physiologic

• Na-K ATPase

• Catecholamines

• Insulin - drives in to cells with glucose

• Plasma potassium concentration

• Exercise

Pathologic

• Chronic disease

• Extracellular pH

• Hyperosmolality

• Rate of cell breakdown

Major factors influencing secretion

• Aldosterone

• plasma potassium concentration

• Distal flow rate

• sodium re-absorption without chloride

Disease States

• Hypokalaemia

• Hyperkalaemia

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