1. What is Potassium Correction?

Potassium correction adjusts measured potassium levels for albumin concentration. This is important because potassium binds to albumin in the blood, and low albumin levels can mask true potassium concentrations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the MDCalc variant formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Measured K} \) — Measured potassium level (mmol/L)
• \( \text{Albumin} \) — Serum albumin concentration (g/dL)

Explanation: The formula adds 0.5 mmol/L to the measured potassium for every 1 g/dL that albumin is below 4 g/dL.

3. Importance of Potassium Correction

Details: Accurate potassium assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing electrolyte imbalances, particularly in patients with hypoalbuminemia such as those with malnutrition, liver disease, or nephrotic syndrome.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter measured potassium in mmol/L and albumin in g/dL. Both values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why correct potassium for albumin?
A: Potassium binds to albumin in the blood. Low albumin levels can result in falsely low potassium measurements, potentially masking true hyperkalemia.

Q2: When should potassium correction be used?
A: Particularly important in patients with hypoalbuminemia (albumin < 4 g/dL) to avoid underestimating true potassium levels.

Q3: What are normal potassium values?
A: Normal serum potassium typically ranges from 3.5-5.0 mmol/L. Corrected values above 5.0 may indicate hyperkalemia.

Q4: Are there different correction formulas?
A: Yes, different institutions may use slightly different correction factors. This calculator uses the MDCalc variant.

Q5: Should corrected potassium replace measured potassium?
A: Corrected potassium provides additional clinical information but should be interpreted alongside the measured value and clinical context.