Re: More on CO2 levels - Jen and Jenn

[Guest guest]

I am not sure we are going to find a direct correlation to ketones

and low CO2 levels. But on a practical side, it is easier for your

lungs to blow off CO2 than your kidneys to excrete the excess acid.

In my mind, if a child is mildly spilling ketones, the first 'line

of defense' for them may be to blow off more CO2. I think it is a

transient event and that is why some tests show it and others not.

Also, I am not sure how much a screaming child who is getting blood

drawn would affect the level. If it takes several sticks, and your

child is screaming (like we all know they can) - would that affect

the CO2 level fast enough? Just wondering out loud. I'll ask my

BIL, a pediatrician.

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!

> > >

> > >