Which analyte can be falsely elevated by hemolysis?

• A. Sodium.
• B. Chloride.
• C. Potassium.
• D. Magnesium.

Answer: (C)

Red blood cells contain a lot of potassium inside them. When a sample hemolyzes, those cells rupture and release potassium into the plasma or serum, which makes the measured potassium level falsely high. This is why potassium is the analyte most commonly and reliably elevated by hemolysis. Sodium and chloride aren’t elevated by hemolysis in the same way, and magnesium isn’t a typical marker that goes up with hemolysis.