Low Potassium Symptoms (Hypokalemia); What are Potassium Deficiency Symptoms?

13) Worsening Diabetes Control

Low potassium levels may worsen diabetes control, causing hyperglycemia and other metabolic alterations. Hypokalemia causes alterations in different hormones, especially insulin. Potassium is required for insulin release, and low levels of this electrolyte lead to insufficient secretion of this hormone. Thus, patients with type 2 diabetes have a higher incidence of hyperglycemia and have a more difficult time controlling blood sugar.

What’s more, diabetes mellitus may lead to hypokalemia. The leading cause is the use of a high dose of insulin in these patients. They may also need to use diuretics, especially loop diuretics and thiazides, which lower blood potassium levels. Regardless of the mechanism, there’s a vicious cycle in these patients in which hypokalemia worsens diabetes control and vice versa.