2008 ICD-9-CM Volume 1 Diagnosis Codes Home > Endocrine, Nutritional And Metabolic Diseases, And Immunity Disorders 240-279 > Other Metabolic Disorders And Immunity Disorders 270-279 > Disorders Of Fluid Electrolyte And Acid-Base Balance 276.* > 2008 ICD-9-CM Diagnosis 276.8 Hypopotassemia  On October 1, 2008 the 2009 ICD-9-CM codes came into effect. Therefore, this code may be out of date. The 2009 version of ICD-9-CM 276.8 can be accessed here. A condition due to decreased dietary intake of potassium, as in starvation or failure to administer in intravenous solutions, or to gastrointestinal loss in diarrhea, chronic laxative abuse, vomiting, gastric suction, or bowel diversion. Severe potassium deficiency may produce muscular weakness and lead to paralysis and respiratory failure. Muscular malfunction may result in hypoventilation, paralytic ileus, hypotension, muscle twitches, tetany, and rhabomyolysis. Nephropathy from potassium deficit impairs the concentrating mechanism, producing polyuria and decreased maximal urinary concentrating ability with secondary polydipsia. (Merck Manual, 16th ed) Abnormally low potassium concentration in the blood. It may result from potassium loss by renal secretion or by the gastrointestinal route, as by vomiting or diarrhea. It may be manifested clinically by neuromuscular disorders ranging from weakness to paralysis, by electrocardiographic abnormalities (depression of the T wave and elevation of the U wave), by renal disease, and by gastrointestinal disorders. (Dorland, 27th ed) Hypokalemia; lower than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood. 276.8 is a specific code that can be used to specify a diagnosis 276.8 contains 7 index entries View the ICD-9-CM Volume 1 276.* hierarchy ICD9Data's sister site ProcedureCodes.com launches with the 2008/09 CPT® codes - read more on the ICD9Data.com blog. 276.8 also known as: Hypokalemia Potassium [K] deficiency Index entries containing 276.8: Deficiency, deficient potassium (K) 276.8 Depletion potassium 276.8 nephropathy 588.89 Findings, abnormal, without diagnosis (examination) (laboratory test) 796.4 potassium deficiency 276.8 Hypokalemia 276.8 Hypopotassemia 276.8 Syndrome - see also Disease hypokalemic 276.8 hypopotassemia 276.8