Potassium and Its Disorders

Abstract

Potassium is the major intracellular cation in the human body. Over 98% of the total body potassium is located within the intracellular compartment. In healthy adults, the total intracellular content of potassium is equivalent to 3000-3500 mmol. Approximately 70% of this amount is found in skeletal muscle with lesser amounts in bone, red blood cells, liver and skin. The extracellular compartment contains 1-2% of the total body potassium. This uneven distribution of total body potassium is the result of an electrogenic pump, Na + , K + ATPase. This pump transports three sodium ions extracellularly in exchange of transporting two potassium ions intracellularly. This mechanism creates a ratio that determines the cell membrane potential. Maintenance of this potassium ratio and membrane potential is vital for normal nerve conduction and muscular contraction.

Measuring the Levels of Iron, Sodium, Potassium and Chloride in Male Humans with Male Hormone Imbalance

“…Comorbid conditions and metabolic diseases might hasten this process [3] . In the early weeks (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) of fetal development, testosterone affects the differentiation of internal organs of the male reproductive system. During puberty, androgens also have an impact on height, the development of male sex-specific physical characteristics, the start and maintenance of spermatogenesis, and the development of libido, the production of fat increases when testosterone levels decline with age, which also causes decreases in libido, bone density, muscle mass, erythropoiesis, and the size of male gonads, testosterone impacts the production of skeletal muscle proteins while increasing anabolic bodily processes [4] .…”

“…Potassium that the intestines absorb and potassium absorbed orally vary to some extent, and potassium absorption is reduced in the presence of magnesium deficit [18] . 98% (3000-3500 mmol in adults) of the total potassium in the human body is found in cells [19] . The kidneys balance potassium levels in the body and control how much enters and leaves the body.…”