Differential Diagnosis
Treatment with drugs
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Loop or thiazide diuretics
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Mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone and corticosterone
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Antibiotics such as carbenicillin and ticarcillin
GI losses of potassium from vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption
Hyperaldosteronism
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Aldosteronism may be primary or secondary, as in renal artery stenosis.
Endogenous or exogenous increase in corticosteroids from Cushing syndrome or dietary or parenteral potassium deprivation (IV fluids w/out potassium supplementation)
Alkalosis from extracellular to intracellular shift of potassium
Excess licorice ingestion
Suggested Additional Lab Testing
Serum aldosterone to assess for primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism
24-hour urine free cortisol to assess for Cushing syndrome
Blood gases to evaluate possible alkalosis
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