Acidosis?

[planetheather 137]

Got lab results (done with my general doctor) and the email told me that my CO2 was high indicating possible acidosis. "This may be a lab error but you need to recheck your lab work next week." I looked up acidosis and it looks like you get it from the Atkins diet (hello, I just got a sleeve 3 months ago) and from burning fat instead of sugar/carbs from intake (again, isn't that why I got the sleeve?). I called my surgeon and the office staff who answered had never heard of acidosis and recommended that I "just do what my other doctor says and recheck."

I have no problem having my labs drawn again, I was just wondering if anyone else had encountered this. Am I delusional in thinking that this would be a normal byproduct of the kind of weight loss (with the kind of diet) we have after getting a sleeve? I did check the other symptoms and I have great energy and cognitive function (well, OK cognitive function). :-)

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Planetheather, I am no doctor but acidosis is not a normal byproduct of weightloss in the way that ketosis is. It can indicate that there is an increase in acidity in your body fluids and that may be a sign of something more going on in relation to your kidneys or lungs.

Your doc seems to know what he's doing, I would go with it as it might just be something temporary. But if it isn't, you are well placed to get early treatment. You're certainly not delusional but I wouldn't necessarily jump to link this possible diagnosis with you being sleeved. We do still have things happen to us, despite the fact we usually are getting healthier. Hope that helps put some perspective on it - think you should be encouraged that your doc isn't taking the lazy way out and blaming everything on the surgery )))

[BKLYNgal87 503]

You're thinking of ketosis, which is kind of what a WLS patient should strive for, because ketosis causes rapid weight loss. Are you diabetic? Acidosis generally means you may have an increased acidity in your blood. It could indicate a metabolic issue, as Indigo said, or it could just be a lab error. Gotta get that re-tested and if/when confirmed you'll probably sent for more specific testing. Hopefully it's nothing or something that can be cleared up easily. Keep us posted!

[planetheather 137]

Thanks! I am/was at risk of diabetes because I had to have 2/3 of my pancreas removed (and it was the section where most of the insulin-producing islet cells lived). My A1C since that surgery 5 years ago has been 6.8 but last week it was down to 5.1. I don't have a single symptom of acidosis (no matter the cause) and my kidney function levels were normal.

Acidosis can also be caused by following a "ketogenic diet" or low calorie diet, which is what most of us are doing post-op, at least until we hit our goal weight. I was actually expecting my surgeon's office and others on the forum to say "yes, sure that's pretty common and here's what you do (or don't worry as long as the levels stay above x)." However, I see my endocrinologist Tuesday and I'll get all the labs redrawn.

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Hope it goes well on Tuesday, let us know how you get on. When stuff like this happens, it's a pain because it can be distracting until it's settled. I have had an issue with my white cell count, that's entirely unrelated to the surgery, so more tests tomorrow. You just got to keep smiling....