You are in Medical Library . Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors Potassium has many functions in the body. It is part of enzyme reactions used in digestion and metabolism . Potassium can move into and out of cells. Blood tests reflect only the extracellular potassium levels and do not indicate the amount of potassium within the cells.
Hyperkalemia occurs when the level of potassium in the bloodstream is higher than normal.
This may be related to increase in total body potassium or excessive release of potassium from the cells into the bloodstream. Lack of aldosterone can result in hyperkalemia with an increase in total body potassium. Addison's disease is one disorder that causes reduced aldosterone production. Any time potassium is released from the cells, it may accumulate in the extracellular fluid and the bloodstream. Tissue trauma causes the cells to release potassium into the extracellular fluid.