Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

The most common cause of true high potassium, also called hyperkalemia, is linked to the kidneys. Causes might include:

  1. Acute kidney injury
  2. Chronic kidney disease

Some medicines or supplements can cause of hyperkalemia, including:

  1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
  2. Angiotensin II receptor blockers
  3. Beta blockers
  4. Too much potassium supplement

Other causes of hyperkalemia include these conditions:

  1. Addison's disease
  2. Dehydration — when the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to work as it should.
  3. Destroyed red blood cells from severe injury or burns
  4. Type 1 diabetes

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Oct. 31, 2024

See also

  1. Addison's disease
  2. Adrenal fatigue: What causes it?
  3. MRI
  4. Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
  5. Seeing inside the heart with MRI
  6. Ultrasound
  7. MRI
  8. X-ray