What you need to know about a lactic acid blood test

Do you remember that strange feeling you get after a hard workout, or after waking up feeling unwell? That feeling of numbness in your limbs, aching muscles. One reason for this could be a temporary build-up of something called "lactic acid" in your body. Usually, this goes away after a while. But sometimes it doesn't. That's what we're going to talk about today.

What exactly is Lactic Acid?

Simply put, lactic acid is a chemical produced by the cells of our body, especially muscle cells and red blood cells. It is produced when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy. This process is especially accelerated when the body does not have enough oxygen. Think about it, when you run fast or lift heavy weights, your body suddenly needs a lot of energy. At that time, oxygen alone may not be enough to breathe. At such times, our body uses another method to produce energy. Lactic acid is produced as a byproduct of this. Normally, there is no problem. When you finish exercising, or when you recover from an illness, our liver and kidneys work together to remove this excess lactic acid and turn it into glucose that can be used as energy again. It is a normal process in the body.

A dangerous condition called lactic acidosis

When the level of lactic acid in our blood becomes dangerously high, the acidity (pH) of the blood changes. This is what we call lactic acidosis in medicine. If this is not treated quickly, it can lead to heart failure, organ failure, unconsciousness, and even death. There are several basic symptoms that can be seen in this condition.

What time does the doctor write this test?

If you have certain symptoms that may indicate that you have high lactic acid levels, your doctor may recommend this blood test. These are the symptoms that may indicate such a problem. If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately . He or she will decide whether you need this test or not.

What can we learn from the test report?

This is a very simple blood test. A small sample of blood is taken from your vein, or sometimes from an artery. Very rarely, a spinal tap can also be done to check the cerebrospinal fluid.

Normal Level

If your blood lactic acid level is normal (less than 2 mmol/L), it means you don't have lactic acidosis. This means your cells are getting enough oxygen, and your liver and kidneys are working properly. Your symptoms could be caused by something else. Your doctor will order other tests to look for that.

High Level

If your lactic acid level is higher than normal (more than 2 mmol/L), there could be many reasons for it.

• A level between 2-4 mmol/L is considered slightly high (hyperlactemia).
• A level above 4 mmol/L is considered severe.

Here are some of the main reasons why lactic acid levels increase:

• Conditions in which the body does not receive enough oxygen :
• Sepsis , a severe infection
• Heart attack
• Congestive heart failure
• Severe lung disease
• Severe anemia (low red blood cell count)

• Problems related to metabolism:
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Uncontrolled Diabetes
• Blood cancer (Leukemia)
• Alcohol use disorder
• Conditions such as HIV or AIDS
• Vitamin B1 deficiency

What to do if lactic acid levels are high?

This is the most important thing. If your report shows that your lactic acid levels are high, don't panic. Your doctor will find out exactly what's causing it.For example, if the cause is a severe infection, antibiotics will be given. If the cause is diabetes, treatment will be started to control it. When the underlying cause is treated, the lactic acid level will automatically return to normal. In addition, depending on the patient's condition, supportive treatments such as intravenous saline (IV fluids) and oxygen are also given. If the condition is caused by a particular medication, the doctor may decide to change that medication. Lactic Acid, Lactic Acidosis, blood test, blood test, symptoms, fatigue, exercise