Dr Lawrie Bott

Experts / Dr Lawrie Bott

Chief Medical Officer, Southern.IML Pathology

Hyperkalaemia – harmless artefact or medical emergency?

Elevated potassium is one of the most vexing problems faced by a clinician because of the difficulty knowing whether an elevated level (for example, 7.5mmol/L) is a harmless artefact or imminently lethal hyperkalaemia. The clinical background is critical to interpretation.

Pathology

Clinical Articles

Understanding glomerular filtration rate

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best single measure of kidney function. A subnormal GFR is an important early indicator of possible chronic kidney disease. However, it also does not identify the cause. It is also not a ‘catch all’, for example, in early diabetes mellitus, GFR will typically be normal or even increased, due to ‘hyperfiltration’. Optimal detection and risk stratification of early kidney disease also requires measurement of urine albumin, rather than just eGFR.

Understanding glomerular filtration rate

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best single measure of kidney function. A subnormal GFR is an important early indicator of possible chronic kidney disease. However, it also does not identify the cause. It is also not a ‘catch all’, for example, in early diabetes mellitus, GFR will typically be normal or even increased, due to ‘hyperfiltration’. Optimal detection and risk stratification of early kidney disease also requires measurement of urine albumin, rather than just eGFR.

By Dr Lawrie Bott

Clinical Articles

Pathology

Hyperkalaemia – harmless artefact or medical emergency?

Elevated potassium is one of the most vexing problems faced by a clinician because of the difficulty knowing whether an elevated level (for example, 7.5mmol/L) is a harmless artefact or imminently lethal hyperkalaemia. The clinical background is critical to interpretation.

By Dr Lawrie Bott

Dr Lawrie Bott

Chief Medical Officer, Southern.IML Pathology

More from this expert

Hyperkalaemia – harmless artefact or medical emergency?

Elevated potassium is one of the most vexing problems faced by a clinician because of the difficulty knowing whether an elevated level (for example, 7.5mmol/L) is a harmless artefact or imminently lethal hyperkalaemia. The clinical background is critical to interpretation.

Understanding glomerular filtration rate

Understanding glomerular filtration rate

Hyperkalaemia – harmless artefact or medical emergency?

Elevated potassium is one of the most vexing problems faced by a clinician because of the difficulty knowing whether an elevated level (for example, 7.5mmol/L) is a harmless artefact or imminently lethal hyperkalaemia. The clinical background is critical to interpretation.

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Dr Lawrie Bott

Chief Medical Officer, Southern.IML Pathology

More from this expert

Hyperkalaemia – harmless artefact or medical emergency?

Elevated potassium is one of the most vexing problems faced by a clinician because of the difficulty knowing whether an elevated level (for example, 7.5mmol/L) is a harmless artefact or imminently lethal hyperkalaemia. The clinical background is critical to interpretation.

Understanding glomerular filtration rate

Understanding glomerular filtration rate

Hyperkalaemia – harmless artefact or medical emergency?

Elevated potassium is one of the most vexing problems faced by a clinician because of the difficulty knowing whether an elevated level (for example, 7.5mmol/L) is a harmless artefact or imminently lethal hyperkalaemia. The clinical background is critical to interpretation.

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Discover

Healthed

First Healthed Webcast for 2026

An Update on Heart Failure in Primary Care

Tuesday 3rd February, 7pm - 9pm AEDT

Speaker

Prof Andrew Sindone

Cardiologist; Director of the Heart Failure Unit and Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Concord Hospital

We invite you to our first webcast of 2026, where Prof Andrew Sindone will provide an update on heart failure in primary care. Earn up to 4 hours CPD. RACGP & ACRRM accredited.