A 61-year-old female presents with fatigue, muscle weakness, and constipation. What is the most likely diagnosis given the ECG findings of decreased amplitude and broad T waves?

The clinical presentation of fatigue, muscle weakness, and constipation, combined with ECG findings of decreased amplitude and broad T waves, aligns with the diagnosis of hypokalemia.

In hypokalemia, low potassium levels in the blood can lead to characteristic electrocardiogram changes, such as decreased amplitude and broadening of the T waves. These changes are indicative of disturbed cardiac repolarization, which can increase the risk of arrhythmias. Additionally, the symptoms of fatigue and muscle weakness are common in patients with low potassium levels due to its vital role in muscle function and neuromuscular transmission. Constipation is also a well-known effect of hypokalemia, as adequate potassium levels are essential for normal gastrointestinal motility.

Other conditions, although they may have overlapping symptoms, do not typically present with the same ECG findings or symptomatology in this context. For instance, hyperkalemia might present with peaked T waves on an ECG, while hypocalcemia would result in distinct ECG changes and symptoms unrelated to the patient’s current presentation. Hypermagnesemia could potentially lead to muscle weakness but would not typically be associated with the same ECG patterns or constipation as seen in hypokalemia. Thus, the combination of symptoms and ECG findings strongly supports a