Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 Matt had a similar experience. Just before he was 2 years old he was diagnosed with Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA). He had metabolic acidosis on a couple of blood tests, but his urine tests showed negative for ketones. So we started on the meds for RTA and the nephrologist said no, he thought the lab tests were wrong. We retested and Matt was fine. SO, now, upteen years later, I think he was acidotic 'at times' and the labs were unreliable because Matt was unreliable. Did he eat well the day before, etc. The connection between ketones and CO2 levels - ketone is an acid. So if you have a build up of ketones in your blood, your body recognizes you have too much acid, so one way to control that is to " over breathe " and breathe off more CO2 (CO2 is also an acid, but an easier acid to get rid of by breathing). Which brings your acid- alkaline ratio closer to normal, but lowers your CO2. So, I would recommend if your child is acidotic, to really investigate the ketone situation. Beth PS - that nursing degree is coming in handy..... > OK, Jen Salem here. I went back through 's lab reports when > she was 18 months old and later, and found the info. Then went on- > line for more info. > > First of all, " C02 levels " are part of an overall blood chemistry > panel taken from your child. Here is what the website said about > the lab test for C02.... > > How is it used? > Carbon dioxide levels are almost always done as part of an > electrolyte panel to tell your doctor whether your sodium, > potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate (H2CO3-, measured as total CO2) > are in balance. They may be done as part of an annual screen, > included as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, or > done when your doctor suspects an imbalance. The CO2 test is also > done when your doctor is evaluating your acid-base balance, to > screen for an imbalance, and to monitor a known problem during > treatment. > > > OK, so then what often happens is that our children can test LOW on > the overall C02. This can signal to a doctor a metabolic acidosis > problem (can be indicative of a more severe metabolic problem) or > also a kidney problem. > > In 's case, they sent us on to a metabolic specialist and a > nephrologist, for another 3-4 weeks of testing and waiting (horrible > waiting). Her test results were random -- one time her CO2s were > low; another time they would be normal; and then low again. > > Finally, it was on to Genetics Dept at Yale Children's. > > Lo and behold, what we learned from them is that our children, > especially when fighting infections ( had a urine infection > at that time they found), can spill ketones. Now, I don't think > that spilling ketones IS C02 -- I just think that they are connected. > > But what I do remember, but this is a long time ago, is that low C02 > levels for an RSS child should be treated as the same as ketones -- > give food, get carbos into the child so the glycogen storage levels > go up. But we shouldn't have needed to have put her through all > those kidney and metabolic tests. UGH! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 Hi and all you said something that really triggered my mind about acidosis. When was in the ICU after her open heart surgery in November of 2003, about the second or third day they told me that 's blood work showed that she is acidosis and that they are consulting with a kidney specialist because she was not responding or the levels weren't going down even though she started eating and drinking. Now keep in mind that a week prior to her surgery she was diagnosed RSS by a geneticist at Columbia Presbyterian where she had the surgery. At that point they made the decision to give a blood transfusion as well I'm not sure if there were any other factors for that decision or what. Thankfully we had blood donated prior to her surgery. However, at the time I had no idea of any correlation between RSS and kidney problems. I wish I could be of more info or help but they did say that it was somewhat normal because of the surgery. I just hope that the kidney specialist was aware of the RSS and the correlation. I know that her binder that stayed with her bed every report or note was marked that she was a 3 3/4 year old RSS female. So hopefully. Is there any article from Magic on this? I would be very interested to read it. Thanks B 4 3/4 RSS and Kelli 2 Non RSS > OK, Jen Salem here. I went back through 's lab reports when > she was 18 months old and later, and found the info. Then went on- > line for more info. > > First of all, " C02 levels " are part of an overall blood chemistry > panel taken from your child. Here is what the website said about > the lab test for C02.... > > How is it used? > Carbon dioxide levels are almost always done as part of an > electrolyte panel to tell your doctor whether your sodium, > potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate (H2CO3-, measured as total CO2) > are in balance. They may be done as part of an annual screen, > included as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, or > done when your doctor suspects an imbalance. The CO2 test is also > done when your doctor is evaluating your acid-base balance, to > screen for an imbalance, and to monitor a known problem during > treatment. > > > OK, so then what often happens is that our children can test LOW on > the overall C02. This can signal to a doctor a metabolic acidosis > problem (can be indicative of a more severe metabolic problem) or > also a kidney problem. > > In 's case, they sent us on to a metabolic specialist and a > nephrologist, for another 3-4 weeks of testing and waiting (horrible > waiting). Her test results were random -- one time her CO2s were > low; another time they would be normal; and then low again. > > Finally, it was on to Genetics Dept at Yale Children's. > > Lo and behold, what we learned from them is that our children, > especially when fighting infections ( had a urine infection > at that time they found), can spill ketones. Now, I don't think > that spilling ketones IS C02 -- I just think that they are connected. > > But what I do remember, but this is a long time ago, is that low C02 > levels for an RSS child should be treated as the same as ketones -- > give food, get carbos into the child so the glycogen storage levels > go up. But we shouldn't have needed to have put her through all > those kidney and metabolic tests. UGH! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 Liam has had 3 blood tests that showed low co2 levels, but I was told it is most likely a lab error.... Now I do not know what to think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 Renal Tubular Acidosis is the name they diagnosed with, and they prescribed, gosh, I think it was something called bicarbinate???? MOnths later, another doctor said " wait a second, this doesn't make any sense " and explained that 's acidosis levels were a result of the RSS, not eating, etc. Thank you for your nursing degree that helps explain things!! > > OK, Jen Salem here. I went back through 's lab reports > when > > she was 18 months old and later, and found the info. Then went on- > > line for more info. > > > > First of all, " C02 levels " are part of an overall blood chemistry > > panel taken from your child. Here is what the website said about > > the lab test for C02.... > > > > How is it used? > > Carbon dioxide levels are almost always done as part of an > > electrolyte panel to tell your doctor whether your sodium, > > potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate (H2CO3-, measured as total > CO2) > > are in balance. They may be done as part of an annual screen, > > included as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, or > > done when your doctor suspects an imbalance. The CO2 test is also > > done when your doctor is evaluating your acid-base balance, to > > screen for an imbalance, and to monitor a known problem during > > treatment. > > > > > > OK, so then what often happens is that our children can test LOW > on > > the overall C02. This can signal to a doctor a metabolic acidosis > > problem (can be indicative of a more severe metabolic problem) or > > also a kidney problem. > > > > In 's case, they sent us on to a metabolic specialist and a > > nephrologist, for another 3-4 weeks of testing and waiting > (horrible > > waiting). Her test results were random -- one time her CO2s were > > low; another time they would be normal; and then low again. > > > > Finally, it was on to Genetics Dept at Yale Children's. > > > > Lo and behold, what we learned from them is that our children, > > especially when fighting infections ( had a urine infection > > at that time they found), can spill ketones. Now, I don't think > > that spilling ketones IS C02 -- I just think that they are > connected. > > > > But what I do remember, but this is a long time ago, is that low > C02 > > levels for an RSS child should be treated as the same as ketones -- > > > give food, get carbos into the child so the glycogen storage > levels > > go up. But we shouldn't have needed to have put her through all > > those kidney and metabolic tests. UGH! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 Jen Briggs - no article on the CO2 levels, but I printed out Beth's great explanation, and am going to work with one of my " contributing authors " to make sure I can include it in the Guidebook. I am using contributing authors whenever it is a subject OVER MY HEAD.... ha!!! > > OK, Jen Salem here. I went back through 's lab reports when > > she was 18 months old and later, and found the info. Then went on- > > line for more info. > > > > First of all, " C02 levels " are part of an overall blood chemistry > > panel taken from your child. Here is what the website said about > > the lab test for C02.... > > > > How is it used? > > Carbon dioxide levels are almost always done as part of an > > electrolyte panel to tell your doctor whether your sodium, > > potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate (H2CO3-, measured as total CO2) > > are in balance. They may be done as part of an annual screen, > > included as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, or > > done when your doctor suspects an imbalance. The CO2 test is also > > done when your doctor is evaluating your acid-base balance, to > > screen for an imbalance, and to monitor a known problem during > > treatment. > > > > > > OK, so then what often happens is that our children can test LOW on > > the overall C02. This can signal to a doctor a metabolic acidosis > > problem (can be indicative of a more severe metabolic problem) or > > also a kidney problem. > > > > In 's case, they sent us on to a metabolic specialist and a > > nephrologist, for another 3-4 weeks of testing and waiting (horrible > > waiting). Her test results were random -- one time her CO2s were > > low; another time they would be normal; and then low again. > > > > Finally, it was on to Genetics Dept at Yale Children's. > > > > Lo and behold, what we learned from them is that our children, > > especially when fighting infections ( had a urine infection > > at that time they found), can spill ketones. Now, I don't think > > that spilling ketones IS C02 -- I just think that they are connected. > > > > But what I do remember, but this is a long time ago, is that low C02 > > levels for an RSS child should be treated as the same as ketones -- > > give food, get carbos into the child so the glycogen storage levels > > go up. But we shouldn't have needed to have put her through all > > those kidney and metabolic tests. UGH! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 Jen, I just fired off a letter to my BIL, but he is just getting back from IRAQ so he may not have time for his " favorite " sister in law. But, Matt was on bicarb, too. For a couple of weeks. When the nephrologist said no, let's retest, it was his theory that the low CO2 showed up since the blood sample sat in the lab for 24 hours before it was tested. When we ran the repeat tests, at the same facility it was drawn at, the results were normal. It is interesting at least. Beth > > > OK, Jen Salem here. I went back through 's lab reports > > when > > > she was 18 months old and later, and found the info. Then went > on- > > > line for more info. > > > > > > First of all, " C02 levels " are part of an overall blood > chemistry > > > panel taken from your child. Here is what the website said > about > > > the lab test for C02.... > > > > > > How is it used? > > > Carbon dioxide levels are almost always done as part of an > > > electrolyte panel to tell your doctor whether your sodium, > > > potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate (H2CO3-, measured as total > > CO2) > > > are in balance. They may be done as part of an annual screen, > > > included as part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, or > > > done when your doctor suspects an imbalance. The CO2 test is > also > > > done when your doctor is evaluating your acid-base balance, to > > > screen for an imbalance, and to monitor a known problem during > > > treatment. > > > > > > > > > OK, so then what often happens is that our children can test LOW > > on > > > the overall C02. This can signal to a doctor a metabolic > acidosis > > > problem (can be indicative of a more severe metabolic problem) > or > > > also a kidney problem. > > > > > > In 's case, they sent us on to a metabolic specialist and > a > > > nephrologist, for another 3-4 weeks of testing and waiting > > (horrible > > > waiting). Her test results were random -- one time her CO2s > were > > > low; another time they would be normal; and then low again. > > > > > > Finally, it was on to Genetics Dept at Yale Children's. > > > > > > Lo and behold, what we learned from them is that our children, > > > especially when fighting infections ( had a urine > infection > > > at that time they found), can spill ketones. Now, I don't think > > > that spilling ketones IS C02 -- I just think that they are > > connected. > > > > > > But what I do remember, but this is a long time ago, is that low > > C02 > > > levels for an RSS child should be treated as the same as > ketones -- > > > > > give food, get carbos into the child so the glycogen storage > > levels > > > go up. But we shouldn't have needed to have put her through all > > > those kidney and metabolic tests. UGH! > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.