Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
It appears Bb uses CO2 in order to gain a "methyl" group and more...
Read carefully:
CO2 reflects the acid status of your blood. Low CO2 levels can be due to either to increased acidity from uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, metabolic disorders, or low CO2 can be due to chronic hyperventilation.
What causes low carbon dioxide levels?
***Photosynthetic organisms fixating it*** (such as plants or purple bacteria), and it dissolving in a liquid (e.g. the sea).
The resulting low concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood is known as hypocapnia.
Since carbon dioxide is held in the blood mostly in the form of carbonic acid, hypocapnia results in the blood becoming alkaline, i.e. the blood pH value rises. (Normally, this alkalosis would automatically be countered by reduced breathing, but for various reasons this doesn't happen when the neural control is not present.)
If carbon dioxide levels are high, the body assumes that oxygen levels are low, and accordingly, the brain's blood vessels dilate to assure sufficient blood flow and supply of oxygen.
***Conversely, low carbon dioxide levels (e.g. from hyperventilation) cause the brain's blood vessels to constrict, resulting in reduced blood flow to the brain and lightheadedness.***
(Note here: NO is kicking it to compensate.)
The alkalinization of blood due to hypocapnia is the mechanism by which vessels constrict; it is theorized that myofibrillar calcium sensitivity is increased in the presence of low hydrogen ion concentration.
The high pH value resulting from hyperventilation also reduces the level of available calcium (hypocalcemia), which affects the nerves and muscles, causing constriction of blood vessels and subsequent parasthesia and lightheadedness.
This occurs because alkalinization of the plasma proteins (mainly albumin) increases their calcium binding affinity, thereby reducing free ionized calcium levels.
(Sliding in a note here...we KNOW Bb is impacting the Na-Ca pump)
Therefore, there are two main mechanisms that contribute to the cerebral vasoconstriction that is responsible for the lightheadedness, parasthesia, and fainting often seen with hyperventilation.
One mechanism is that low carbon dioxide (hypocapnia) causes decreased hydrogen ion concentration (respiratory alkalosis), which causes blood vessels to constrict.
The other mechanism is that the decrease in hydrogen ions (alkalosis) causes decreased freely ionized blood calcium, thereby causing cell membrane instability and subsequent vasoconstriction.
Though it seems counterintuitive, breathing too much can result in a decrease in the oxygen supply to the brain.
Doctors sometimes artificially induce hyperventilation after head injury to reduce the pressure in the skull, though the treatment has potential risks.
Carbon dioxide testing may be ordered, usually as part of an electrolyte panel when: � you are having a routine blood screen; � your doctor suspects that you may be retaining water or are dehydrated, upsetting your electrolyte balance; � your doctor wants to evaluate your body's acid-base balance (pH); � your doctor wants to monitor a condition or treatment that might cause an electrolyte imbalance.
What does the test result mean? When CO2 levels are higher or lower than normal, it suggests that your body is having trouble maintaining its acid-base balance or that you have upset your electrolyte balance, perhaps by losing or *retaining fluid*. Both of these imbalances may be due to a wide range of dysfunctions
Is there anything else I should know?
Some drugs may *increase blood carbon dioxide levels* including: fludrocortisone, barbiturates, bicarbonates, hydrocortisone, loop diuretics, and steroids.
Drugs that may *decrease blood carbon dioxide levels* include methicillin, nitrofurantoin,
tetracycline,
thiazide diuretics, and triamterene."
Posts: 9426 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
I just recently found out that my co2 levels were low,... no explaination??
-------------------- "You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point you thought it was the end" Posts: 946 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Apr 2008
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Tincup...congrats! It is WONDERFUL being a grandmom.
Posts: 9426 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Marnie I just wanted to say Iam very glad you havent given up trying to figure this out.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
lymie_in_md
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14197
posted
Peedie, my biggest hangup was TBD, it took me quite a while to realize it stood for Tick Born Disease. It would be great if there was a topic called acronym which could be updated and always available.
-------------------- Bob Posts: 2150 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
My CO2 level is low as well. It was one point below range once and I am now wondering .The nurse called and said I was dehydrated by blood results I forgot to ask maybe it was low CO2 again.
Posts: 115 | From warwick, new york | Registered: Mar 2008
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