Your Lab Values Are Essentially Normal
Your potassium of 4.9 mEq/L, glucose of 89 mg/dL, BUN of 9 mg/dL, and sodium of 143 mEq/L all fall within normal ranges and require no immediate intervention. These values indicate normal kidney function, normal blood sugar, and appropriate electrolyte balance.
Understanding Your Potassium Level
Your potassium at 4.9 mEq/L sits at the upper end of normal (typically 3.5-5.0 mEq/L) but does not constitute hyperkalemia, which begins at levels >5.0-5.5 mEq/L 1.
Context for Potassium Interpretation
If you have heart failure, chronic kidney disease, or diabetes: Even "high-normal" potassium levels (4.8-5.0 mEq/L) have been associated with increased 90-day mortality risk in observational studies 1. In these populations, optimal potassium ranges may be narrower (4.1-4.7 mEq/L) 1.
If you are otherwise healthy: Your potassium level of 4.9 mEq/L requires no treatment and represents normal physiology 2.
Medications to consider: If you take ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, this level warrants monitoring but not immediate intervention 1.
Your Other Values
Glucose: 89 mg/dL
- This is normal fasting glucose (70-100 mg/dL is optimal) 1
- No evidence of diabetes or hypoglycemia
BUN: 9 mg/dL
- This is normal to low-normal (typical range 7-20 mg/dL) 1
- Indicates excellent kidney function and adequate hydration
- No evidence of kidney disease or dehydration
Sodium: 143 mEq/L
- This is normal (135-145 mEq/L) 1
- Not hypernatremia (which would be >145 mEq/L)
- Indicates normal fluid balance
When to Seek Medical Attention
Recheck potassium if you develop:
- Muscle weakness, paralysis, or paresthesias 1, 2
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeat 1, 2
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea 3
Common pitfall: Pseudohyperkalemia can occur from hemolysis during blood draw, prolonged tourniquet time, or fist clenching during venipuncture 4, 5. If your potassium was measured from a difficult blood draw, this could falsely elevate the result.