Metabolic Acidosis Lab Values – Overview
Metabolic Acidosis is a condition that occurs due to an imbalance of acid in the body. Metabolic Acidosis happens when your body is unable to throw accessive acid from the body.
It also happens when your kidneys cannot remove acid from the body.
Metabolic Acidosis Lab Values will give you information about the standard lab values of this condition and how you can keep the amount of acid in the body balanced.
Casues of Metabolic Acidosis
Metabolic acidosis develops through various diseases. There are several types of metabolic acidosis that our body produces. Let’s discuss each type in brief before we get on to the standard metabolic acidosis lab values.
1. Diabetic Acidosis
Diabetic Acidosis is also known as DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis). This type of acidosis develops when diabetes in your body is uncontrolled. In this condition, your body produces substances called highly acidic ketones.
Diabetic Acidosis occurs in patients with type 1 diabetes. Due to the production of this substance, the level of acid in our body increases and causes diabetic acidosis.
2. Hyperchloremic Acidosis
Hyperchloremic Acidosis occurs when our body loses too much amount of sodium bicarbonate. Due to the lack of sodium bicarbonate, hyperchloremic acidosis develops which is a common type of metabolic acidosis.
3. Lactic Acidosis:
This type of acidosis occurs when your body starts building up extra lactic acid. It is produced in red blood cells. It is also produced from the breakage of the muscle cells.
4. Renal Tubular Acidosis:
Renal Tubular Acidosis occurs when your kidneys are damaged. The main function of your kidney is to remove acid and other waste products through urine.
When your kidneys are damaged or if your kidneys are not working properly, then the amount of acid in your body increases which causes renal tubular acidosis.
What are the Key symptoms of Metabolic Acidosis?
Metabolic Acidosis Lab Values – Key symptoms of Metabolic Acidosis
A person with metabolic acidosis may experiences…
#1. Problems in breathing
#2. Weakness in body
#3. Constant headache
#4. Stomach pain
#5. Fast heartbeat
#6. Smelly breathe
If the symptoms are severe, you need to visit the hospital immediately. If the metabolic acidosis symptoms are ignored, then it will start damaging other body organs. To keep your organs healthy, you should visit the hospital and get this condition diagnosed.
Metabolic Acidosis Lab Values
Since there are several types of metabolic acidosis, the actual type of it is based on anion and osmolar gap calculation.
The laboratory procedure for identifying the type of metabolic acidosis is a bit complex. The testing is done in different phases before the final test report is handover to the patient.
Anion gap: This test is done to figure out the chemical balance in your body. Sodium, Chloride, and Bicarbonate particles are compared with positively and negatively charged cells in this test.
[Na] – ([Cl ] + [HCO3-])
Arterial Blood Gases: Arterial Blood Gases test is also done to check the pH, oxygen, and carbon dioxide in your blood.
Osmolar gap: (2[Na+] + [glucose]/18 + [BUN]/2.8)
The osmolar gap means calculated plasma osmolality- measured plasma osmolality.
The anion gap and osmolar gap decide the type of metabolic acidosis. The high anion gap indicates that there is a serious problem in your body. The normal anion gap and low/ negative anion gap also indicate the loss of minerals and other vitamins.
How do you Treat Metabolic Acidosis?
The simple treatment for metabolic acidosis is to identify its type and treat what causes it. You just need to balance the amount of acid in your body to save your bones and other body organs from failing faster.
The acid imbalance may damage your bones, kidneys, and muscles.
You are requested to treat this condition as soon as possible. If ignored, the person might get into a coma. The basic treatments to cure metabolic acidosis are listed below:
#1. Body detoxification
#2. Injecting IV fluids
#3. Injecting sodium bicarbonate
#4. Insulin for diabetic patients
If the condition is severe, then you might be hospitalized to treat the condition and rebalance the amount of acid in your body. Your doctor would guide you better after checking your condition.
What should we do to prevent this condition?
You can follow the below-listed things to prevent metabolic acidosis condition in your body.
#1. Limit alcohol consumption as it increases acid buildup in your body. When you consume alcohol, your body starts dehydrating which increases the amount of acid.
#2. Drink Plenty of Water to keep your body hydrated. Make sure that the color of your urine is clear or pale yellow. Always keep an eye on the color of your urine.
#3. Control Diabetes if you are suffering from type 1 diabetes. Take your medicines or insulin dosage regularly to keep the blood cells’ function balanced. It keeps the acid level in your body balanced.
The Bottom Line:
Metabolic Acidosis is a complex body condition where you feel constant body pain or feel weak all the time. It is best to visit your doctor and discuss your condition.
He will then prescribe the required lab tests to check the actual diseases. One can prevent this condition from happening by simply following the basic treatments listed above.
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