A Case Series of Pseudohyperkalemia: A Diagnostic Dilemma in Cancer Patients With Reactive Thrombocytosis

Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition if not treated urgently. However, certain conditions can cause pseudohyperkalemia and the treating physician must be able to distinguish between the two to prevent complications of overtreatment that can lead to hypokalemia, itself a life-threatening condition. One of the causes of pseudohyperkalemia is thrombocytosis. Here we present three cases of pseudohyperkalemia secondary to reactive thrombocytosis in cancer (solid malignancy) patients. This case series emphasizes the importance of recognizing pseudohyperkalemia from a physician's perspective to avoid inadvertent treatment.