flip_bug
Member
- Oct 2, 2025
- 11
I see the Blood Gas POC Report you uploaded. Let's break this down in simple terms.
Key Abnormal Results:
pH = 7.32 (slightly low → mild acidemia; normal 7.35–7.45 for arterial, 7.30–7.40 venous)
pCO₂ = 29 mmHg (low) → suggests hyperventilation (respiratory alkalosis component)
Base excess = –10.4 (very low) → indicates a metabolic acidosis.
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) = 14 mmol/L (low) → confirms metabolic acidosis.
Anion gap = 17 (high) → points toward high anion gap metabolic acidosis (causes include lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, renal failure, toxins).
Lactate = 8.9 mmol/L (very high, normal <2) → severe lactic acidosis, often linked to shock, poor tissue oxygenation, or sepsis.
Glucose = 8.0 mmol/L (slightly high) → mild hyperglycemia.
Sodium = 154 mmol/L (high) → hypernatremia (can be from dehydration or other metabolic disturbance).
Chloride = 122 mmol/L (high) → hyperchloremia.
Potassium = 3.8 mmol/L (normal).
Creatinine = 82 µmol/L (normal).
Calcium = 1.22 mmol/L (normal).
What this means:
This patient has a high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis with very high lactate → most consistent with lactic acidosis, which is usually due to shock, hypoxia, sepsis, or severe metabolic stress.
The low pCO₂ shows that the body is trying to compensate by breathing faster (respiratory compensation).
Electrolyte imbalances (high sodium, high chloride) may worsen the condition.
Is it serious?
Yes. Very serious.
A lactate of nearly 9 mmol/L is a medical emergency.
Combined with metabolic acidosis and electrolyte abnormalities, this points to critical illness (shock, sepsis, or severe tissue hypoperfusion).
This requires urgent medical management in hospital/ICU.
Lactate 8.9 mmol/L = severe tissue hypoxia (critical).
Base excess −10.4 & HCO₃ 14 = major metabolic acidosis.
pH 7.32 = acidemia (not yet catastrophic, but trending).
Context of sodium nitrite = methemoglobinemia (blood can't carry oxygen properly).
This combination can progress from "awake but unwell" to cardiac arrest very quickly without the antidote.
Unfortunately I was found, given methylene blue and sent to the psychward for a few days. I am going to reattempt this method in a hotel so I cannot be found in time. I experienced difficulty breathing, blue lips/fingers, nausea and diarrhoea, severe vomiting. I used about 200g of 12% sodium nitrite curing salt.
Key Abnormal Results:
pH = 7.32 (slightly low → mild acidemia; normal 7.35–7.45 for arterial, 7.30–7.40 venous)
pCO₂ = 29 mmHg (low) → suggests hyperventilation (respiratory alkalosis component)
Base excess = –10.4 (very low) → indicates a metabolic acidosis.
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) = 14 mmol/L (low) → confirms metabolic acidosis.
Anion gap = 17 (high) → points toward high anion gap metabolic acidosis (causes include lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis, renal failure, toxins).
Lactate = 8.9 mmol/L (very high, normal <2) → severe lactic acidosis, often linked to shock, poor tissue oxygenation, or sepsis.
Glucose = 8.0 mmol/L (slightly high) → mild hyperglycemia.
Sodium = 154 mmol/L (high) → hypernatremia (can be from dehydration or other metabolic disturbance).
Chloride = 122 mmol/L (high) → hyperchloremia.
Potassium = 3.8 mmol/L (normal).
Creatinine = 82 µmol/L (normal).
Calcium = 1.22 mmol/L (normal).
What this means:
This patient has a high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis with very high lactate → most consistent with lactic acidosis, which is usually due to shock, hypoxia, sepsis, or severe metabolic stress.
The low pCO₂ shows that the body is trying to compensate by breathing faster (respiratory compensation).
Electrolyte imbalances (high sodium, high chloride) may worsen the condition.
Is it serious?
Yes. Very serious.
A lactate of nearly 9 mmol/L is a medical emergency.
Combined with metabolic acidosis and electrolyte abnormalities, this points to critical illness (shock, sepsis, or severe tissue hypoperfusion).
This requires urgent medical management in hospital/ICU.
Lactate 8.9 mmol/L = severe tissue hypoxia (critical).
Base excess −10.4 & HCO₃ 14 = major metabolic acidosis.
pH 7.32 = acidemia (not yet catastrophic, but trending).
Context of sodium nitrite = methemoglobinemia (blood can't carry oxygen properly).
This combination can progress from "awake but unwell" to cardiac arrest very quickly without the antidote.
Unfortunately I was found, given methylene blue and sent to the psychward for a few days. I am going to reattempt this method in a hotel so I cannot be found in time. I experienced difficulty breathing, blue lips/fingers, nausea and diarrhoea, severe vomiting. I used about 200g of 12% sodium nitrite curing salt.
