Lactic Acid: Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
A test for lactic acid is done to:
- Check for lactic acidosis. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include rapid breathing, excessive sweating, cool and clammy skin, sweet-smelling breath, belly pain, nausea or vomiting, and coma.
- See whether the right amount of oxygen is reaching the body's tissues.
- Find the cause for a high amount of acid (low pH) in the blood.
| Last updated: | August 19, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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