Alternations in intracellular K+ concentration?

The cell membrane possesses a sodium pump, which is continually pumping sodium ions out of the cell. At the same time a lesser amount of potium is pumped inwards. This process is facilitated by insulin. As a result most of the body's potium is stored inside the cells. Potium losses are first from the fluids outside the cell, and only later is the intracellular store depleted. This loss does not take place from any specific group of cells, such as the erythrocytes, but from all the cells in the body. The treatment is to replace the potium (either tablets or intravenously), when the potium ions will diffuse and be pumped into the cell quite rapidly. There is no particular need to speed the process up with insulin.