Pathology Handbook

Potassium

Do not use very fine needles or draw hard on syringes. There should be minimal stasis and no fist–clenching before or during blood collection.

Potassium levels are significantly raised by haemolysis, and by long delays before specimen separation (worse if specimen cooled).

Retrospective testing with 12 hours.

Reference Intervals (Adult):

3.5—5.2 mmol/L

Somewhat higher values are seen in serum than in plasma.

R.I Source:

RCPA/AACB Harmonised Reference Intervals from 13/7/2015.

Age Related Reference Intervals:

Male & Female:

< 1 week                3.5 - 6.2 mmol/L

1 wk - < 26 wk     3.8 - 6.4 mmol/L

26 wk - < 2 yr       3.5 - 5.4 mmol/L

2 yr - <18 yr          3.3 - 4.9 mmol/L

Test performed on Abbott Alinity