Understanding and Managing Potassium Deficiency

10. Diagnosis and treatment

Before you can have your potassium deficiency treated, you first need to be diagnosed by a medical professional. Most doctors will administer a blood test to determine whether you have low potassium. The normal range for potassium in adults is 3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L, and anything below 3 mEq/L is considered a severe deficiency. If the test results show that you do have potassium deficiency, your doctor may order additional tests to determine the root cause of the condition.

If your potassium deficiency is on the mild side, you will likely be prescribed a potassium supplement that you'll take orally. However, in the case of a more severe deficiency, you may need to have potassium administered intravenously. This is usually the prescribed course of action in the event of dangerously low potassium levels that cause abnormal heart rhythms or other serious symptoms.