Lactic Acidosis: Exercise, Metformin Causes Lactic Acid Buildup
Lactic acidosis means you’ve built up lactic acid in your bloodstream faster than it’s metabolized. Or in other words production is out pacing removal.
Lactic acid is a by product of anaerobic glycolysis. Glycolysis is a metabolic process that converts stored muscle glycogen into glucose for energy. Whenever this breakdown takes place in an environment with little or no oxygen, then lactic acid has the potential to buildup.
The most common cause for lactic acid to build up is during intense or prolonged exercise. However, accumulation of lactic acid can be caused by other health related situations and conditions as well, such as:
- shock
- sepsis
- alcohol
- hypoxia
- seizures
- ischemia
- liver failure
- lung disease
- kidney failure
- liver problems
- hypoglycemia
- severe anemia
- respiratory failure
- metabolic diseases
- severe dehydration
- out of control diabetes
- congestive heart failure
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- cancer ~ leukemia, lymphoma
- severe infection ~ HIV, malaria, cholera
A standout of lactic acidosis concern is an adverse affect from metformin, frequently prescribed for Type 2 diabetes and PCOS. Albeit, it’s rare.
A couple of identified health related risks for metformin induced lactic acid buildup include:
- cardiac failure
- renal impairment
- pulmonary disease
- diabetic retinopathy
- diabetic ketoacidosis
- coronary heart disease
- excessive alcohol intake
- other acidosis conditions
- peripheral vascular disease
- B12, folate, iron deficiency
- high daily metformin dosage
An important precaution to guard against this life-threatening form of metformin caused lactic acidosis is to ensure you health care provider checks your electrolyte levels within a couple weeks after your initial dose.
Symptoms of lactic acid buildup are:
- thirst
- anorexia
- weakness
- abdominal pain
- nausea & vomiting
- altered level of consciousness
- hyperpnea ~ unusually deep & rapid breathing
Extreme exercise, for example participating in an ultra marathon, may cause just about all of these symptoms. Hopefully, those engaged in exercise beyond the norm know their limits and when to back off.
The primary treatment for lactic acidosis is via correction of the underlying health problem that caused its buildup. And if exercise is your instigator, then stop.
- Why Some People Die During Exercise
- Why You May Feel Out of Breath During Exercise
- Causes of Exercise Intolerance Fatigue Symptoms
- Endorphins: Natural Pain Killer for Survival of Severe Injury
Filed under: Exercise, Metabolism
