What happens if you do not get enough potassium?

A low intake can raise blood pressure, the risk of kidney stones, bone turnover and calcium loss in urine.^[1] A low blood level (hypokalemia, below about 3.6 mmol/L) is rare in healthy people with normal kidneys. It affects up to 21% of people in hospital, usually because of diuretics and other medicines.^[1]

• Mild hypokalemia causes constipation, tiredness, muscle weakness and a general feeling of being unwell.^[1]
• Below about 2.5 mmol/L it can cause large amounts of urine, poor glucose control, paralysis, weak breathing and abnormal heart rhythms.^[1]

Low food intake alone rarely causes hypokalemia. It can result from diarrhea, vomiting, refeeding after starvation, laxative abuse, diuretics, heavy sweating, dialysis and eating clay.^[1] Low magnesium increases potassium loss in urine. More than half of people with clinically significant hypokalemia might also lack magnesium.^[1]