What are the causes of hypokalemia?

Hypokalemia, which is a condition characterized by low levels of potassium in the blood, can result from several factors, primarily involving decreased potassium intake, loss of potassium from the body, or increased movement of potassium into cells.

Decreased intake refers to situations where dietary potassium consumption is insufficient to meet the body's needs. This can commonly occur in patients with malnutrition or those on restrictive diets.

Loss of potassium can occur due to gastrointestinal losses, such as prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, as well as through renal losses, where the kidneys excrete an excessive amount of potassium due to conditions such as hyperaldosteronism or certain diuretics.

Additionally, increased entry of potassium into cells can occur in response to certain physiological conditions, particularly during the administration of insulin or beta-adrenergic agonists, which help drive potassium into the cells, resulting in lower serum potassium levels.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary causes of hypokalemia. Excessive potassium reabsorption typically leads to hyperkalemia, while high sodium intake alone is not a direct cause of hypokalemia without considering its interaction with potassium homeostasis. Fluid retention generally does not lead to hypokalemia; instead, it may cause dilution of serum potassium levels