Chronic hypokalaemia--how to establish a diagnosis?

Abstract

We present three cases of patients with symptomatic, chronic, diagnosis-resistant hypokalaemia. Differential diagnosis of renal potassium loss between Gitelman's syndrome, Bartter's syndrome and loop diuretic abuse was made. Key elements in differential diagnosis of chronic hypokalaemia are blood pressure assessment, acid base equilibrium, serum calcium concentration, 24-hour urine potassium and calcium excretion.