It's Probably Hypokalemia

Filed in archive Cases on August 27, 2007

Thankfully it wasn't hyperglycemia nor hypoglycemia. However, it could probably be hypokalemia.




Hypokalemia is condition characterized by having below normal levels of potassium ions in the blood serum.

Potassium is a necessary electrolyte in the body. It facilitates nerve impulse conduction and the contraction of skeletal and smooth muscles (including the heart), cell membrane function and proper enzyme activity.

• Mild hypokalemia: no symptoms


• Moderate hypokalemia: confusion, disorientation, weakness, and discomfort of muscles, occasional cramps during exercise and discomfort in the legs when sitting still; 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L serum potassium


• Severe hypokalemia: extreme weakness of the body, occasional paralysis ("flaccid paralysis," or limpness), paralysis of the muscles of the lungs results in death while abnormal heart beat (arrhythmia) that can lead to death from cardiac arrest (cessation of heart beat); below 2.5 mEq/L serum potassium

I definitely experienced the discomfort in the legs when sitting still and the limpness of the thighs and legs therefore I couldn't stand.

Well, I'd know when the blood works results are back.

This really sucks.