METABOLIC AND RENAL STUDIES IN CHRONIC POTASSIUM DEPLETION RESULTING FROM OVERUSE OF LAXATIVES 12

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Abstract
Individuals employing cathartics excessively may develop the T-wave changes characteristic of hypokalemia. Other serum electrolytes and red cell Na and K remained normal. Discontinuing the laxatives caused retention of K approx. equal to half the initial body K content. Na was also retained. Cellular K uptake was estimated to equal the estimated loss of intracellular Na. Initially, the NH4 excretion was high but it decreased during K deficit correction without change in urine pH or titratable acidity. The urine-concentrating ability was impaired during K deficiency but returned to normal as K deficit disappeared.