Lactic acidosis is a condition of excess lactic acid in the blood. It is caused by insufficient oxygen. Lactic acid causes the blood pH to drop, meaning the blood is more acidic than normal. If the pH of your blood remains acidic, cells and tissues may become damaged. The lactate levels in your blood usually remain below 2 millimoles per deciliter. Levels between 2 and 2 millimoles per deciliter are elevated and other symptoms should be monitored. Levels greater than 10 millimoles per deciliter may have serious and life-threatening consequences.
Symptoms
The signs of lactic acidosis may include persistent nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Others are fatigue, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, enlarged or tender liver, cold or blue hands and feet, abnormal heart rhythms and unexplained weight loss. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience the symptoms of lactic acidosis.
Diagnosis
Lactate levels are difficult to measure directly and this test is not often performed. Instead, the condition can be diagnosed through the combined use of several other tests. These may include a liver function test to measure liver enzyme levels and blood testing to determine levels of electrolytes and blood pH. In addition, your doctor should also perform a physical exam and look for enlargement of the liver. You may also undergo a liver CT scan or ultrasound.
Causes
The most common cause of lactic acidosis is intense exercise. The condition may also be triggered by certain chronic diseases including AIDS, cancer, kidney failure, respiratory failure and sepsis. Lactic acidosis may occur as a side effect of the medication metformin. This is a common drug used in the treatment of diabetes. Doctors routinely check for this complication by measuring electrolyte levels in new patients approximately one to two weeks after beginning the medication.
Treatment
Treatment for lactic acidosis is usually focused on correcting the underlying condition. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may require hospitalization. You may receive intravenous fluids and assistance breathing. In some cases, patients are given vitamins including riboflavin, thiamine, coenzyme Q, L-carnitine, or vitamins C, E and K.
