Identification of the Causes for Chronic Hypokalemia: Importance of Urinary Sodium and Chloride Excretion.

Background: Uncovering the correct diagnosis of chronic hypokalemia with potassium (K) wasting from the kidneys or gut can be fraught with challenges. We identified clinical and laboratory parameters helpful for differentiating the causes of chronic hypokalemia.

Methods: Normotensive patients referred to our tertiary academic medical center for the evaluation of chronic hypokalemia were prospectively enrolled over 5 years.