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Lactic acidemia
The presence of lactic acid in the blood.
Lactic acidemia is the presence of lactic acid in the blood . This condition arises when the body's cells favor the oxidation of fat over glucose, leading to the production of lactic acid . In diabetes, lactic acidemia becomes a problem due to the inability to oxidize glucose, resulting in its conversion to lactic acid . The excess production of lactate can also displace carbon dioxide from the blood, partly as a compensation for acidity .
The relationship between lactic acidemia and oxygen levels is complex. At high altitude, the slight tendency toward carbon dioxide-retention acidosis decreases the blood's affinity for oxygen, making it more available to the tissues . However, lactic acid also affects the blood's oxygen affinity, though not as strongly as carbon dioxide. Lactic acid can dissociate oxygen from hemoglobin and displace carbon dioxide from its binding sites on hemoglobin .
Lactic acidemia can be a sign of tissue hypoxia, which is caused by changes in alveolar diffusion, peripheral vascular changes, and intracellular oxygen wastage . Elevated blood lactic acid is one sign of tissue hypoxia, and it can also be produced by other factors, including an excessive estrogen/progesterone ratio .
People also ask
- What causes lactic acid to build up?Lactic acidemia occurs when cells prioritize fat oxidation over glucose, or when glucose cannot be oxidized, as seen in diabetes. An excessive estrogen/progesterone ratio can also contribute.
- How does lactic acid affect blood oxygen?Lactic acid can reduce the blood's affinity for oxygen, causing it to dissociate from hemoglobin. It also displaces carbon dioxide from hemoglobin binding sites.
- Is lactic acidemia always a sign of low oxygen?While elevated lactic acid can indicate tissue hypoxia, it can also be produced by other factors, such as an imbalance in the estrogen/progesterone ratio.