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A case of pseudohyperkalemia in a patient presenting with leucocytosis and high potassium level: a Case Report

Alice Kim1, Benjamin Biteman2,3, Umer F Malik2*, Shahzad Siddique4, Mersadies R Martin1, Syed A Ali5, Nadeem Maboud1, Sabiya Raja1, Alison Zachry1 and Ahmed Mahmoud6

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Emergency Medicine, Cook County Hospital (W Polk St), Chicago, IL (60612-3764), USA

2 Department of Internal Medicine, San Joaquin General Hospital (West Hospital Road), French Camp, Ca(95231), USA

3 Saint George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies

4 Department of Geriatric Medicine, Mayo Clinic (1st St SW), Rochester, MN 55905, USA

5 Department of Internal Medicine, Agha Khan Hospital, Karachi, Sindh, 74800, Pakistan

6 Department of Surgery San Joaquin General Hospital, 500 West Hospital Road French Camp, California, CA 95231, USA

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Cases Journal 2010, 3:73 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-3-73

Published: 25 February 2010

Abstract

Pseudohyperkalemia can appear in a variety of settings and should be recognized early. Treatment of pseudohyperkalemia can lead to an inappropriate decrease of actual serum potassium levels which may lead to life threatening conditions. In the case presented, an 81-year-old male presented with massive leucocytosis and an extremely elevated potassium level. This case report emphasizes the importance of recognizing pseudohyperkalemia in a patient with a severely increased potassium and WBC level; such patients may be clinically asymptomatic or may have a normal ECG.