Specimen Collection
2 mL Urine (Random)
24hr Urine
Reference Intervals

Reference interval:

The output of potassium depends on the intake, physiological state, and drugs.

Uncertainty of Measurement: 7%

Turnaround Time: Within 3 hours
Assay Method

Principle : Ion selective electrode

Reagents: Roche Potassium electrode

Analyser: Cobas Indirect ISE

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Excessive renal K+ loss occurs with:

• diuretics
• alkalosis
• mineralocorticoid excess
• some renal tubular disorders

Decreased urine excretion of potassium occurs in:

• K+ depletion due to gastrointestinal loss (e.g. chronic diarrhoea, laxative abuse)
• mineralocorticoid deficiency
• severe renal disease
• drugs inhibiting the renin-aldosterone axis

Contact Information

Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.

If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.

If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).

Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.

After-hours : contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.

Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402

Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052

Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Campbell Heron: CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe: Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Last updated at 15:26:00 06/01/2025