Potassium adaptation

Q: What is Potassium adaptation?

Answer: Higher intake of potassium is rarely a cause of hyperkalemia in a normal individual. This is due to the efficient cellular and urinary response. This phenomenon is called potassium adaptation.

Clinical significance:  Persistent hyperkalemia in a patient should prompt a clinician to look for a pathology either cellular or renal.

#electrolytes

#nephrology

References:

1. Youn JH, McDonough AA. Recent advances in understanding integrative control of potassium homeostasis. Annu Rev Physiol 2009; 71:381.

2. Mount DB, Zandi-Nejad K. Disorders of potassium balance. In: Brenner and Rector's The Kidney, 9th Ed, WB Saunders & Company, Philadelphia 2011. p.640.

3. Hayslett JP, Binder HJ. Mechanism of potassium adaptation. Am J Physiol. 1982 Aug;243(2):F103-12. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.1982.243.2.F103. PMID: 7051849.