An Italian paper released as a preprint* on June 18 documented a very high rate of hypokalemia, or low blood levels of potassium, among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Among 290 hospitalized but non-critical COVID-19 patients, 41% had hypokalemia. In roughly a third of them, urinary potassium was measured. In that subset, 96% of the patients had elevated urine potassium. This shows that the blood levels of potassium were low because the potassium was being lost in the urine.
Low Potassium Levels in COVID-19
Low Potassium Levels in COVID-19
Low Potassium Levels in COVID-19
An Italian paper released as a preprint* on June 18 documented a very high rate of hypokalemia, or low blood levels of potassium, among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Among 290 hospitalized but non-critical COVID-19 patients, 41% had hypokalemia. In roughly a third of them, urinary potassium was measured. In that subset, 96% of the patients had elevated urine potassium. This shows that the blood levels of potassium were low because the potassium was being lost in the urine.