2. in psychiatry, an unconscious defense mechanism in which unacceptable ideas, fears, and impulses are thrust out or kept out of consciousness. 3. gene r. enzyme repression interference, usually by the endproduct of a pathway, with synthesis of the enzymes of that pathway. gene repression the inhibition of gene transcription of an operon; in prokaryotes repressor binding to the operon is involved.
Hyperkalemia can result from increased potassium intake, decreased potassium excretion, or a shift of potassium from the intracellular to the extracellular space. The most common causes involve decreased excretion. Alone, excessive intake or an extracellular shift is distinctly uncommon.
Normal plasma potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0 meq/l; about 98% of the body's potassium is found inside cells, with the remainder in the extracellular fluid including the blood. Alternately, the NIH denotes 3.7â5.2 meq/l as a normal range. A low level of magnesium in the blood can also cause hypokalemia. 2  Magnesium is required for adequate processing of potassium. 3  This may become evident when hypokalemia persists despite potassium supplementation. 4  Other electrolyte abnormalities may also be present.