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Does Sodium Bicarbonate Alter PH Levels In Blood?

Posted on Tue, 16 Feb 2016

Question: An anesthesiogist friend was warning me that sodium bicarbonate can dangerously alter pH levels and cause problems with o2 utility in the body. However, sodium bicarbonate has been used by physicians throughout the 1900s and continuing to the present as a germicidal agent and toxin neutralizer, and it is used in ER rooms to this day for many different purposes. If one is monitoring their pH closely with oral pH strips while receiving sodium bicarbonate therapy, does this preclude or significantly lessen side effect risks? (With all due respect, I would like someone other than Dr. XXXXXXX Rynne to address my question.) Thank you much.

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for posting in HCM.

Why do you want to receive sodium bicarbonate therapy?
Are your kidneys working fine?
Are you on any other medications?
Any medical illness?

Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (40 hours later)

My pleasure Dr. Barani. Here are my answers to your queries:

My kidneys are working just fine.

I am not on any pharmaceutical medications of any kind.

I have mycotoxicosis - that is, toxic mold poisoning - and some tick-borne infectious diseases.

I use sodium bicarbonate when my oral pH becomes too acidic due to toxicities I am dealing with, and I also use it as a germicide and toxin binder. Arm and Hammer used to recommend 1/2 teaspoon 7x/day as the maximum daily dosage for grown adults using sodium bicarbonate for illness combating purposes. I have never had any problems using sodium bicarbonate, but wanted to ask in HCM about the topics my anesthesiologist friend brought up.

Kind regards to you and looking forward to hearing from you,

Cory

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No harm in smaller doses

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the additional information.

If only 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate is taken for 7 days, there is no need to worry about any serious side effects. It will get neutralized by the acidic secretions before it can cross the stomach.

Slighter change in the pH which is unlikely to occur will be taken care of by good functioning kidneys.

Large oral doses or intravenous doses and poor kidney function can be dangerous.

Let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (32 hours later)

I apologize Dr. Barani. I should have been more clear. "7x/day" is medical shorthand in XXXXXXX for "seven times per day", so by 1/2 teaspoon 7x/day I mean that physicians will sometimes do 1/2 teaspoon up to 7 times per day when using sodium bicarbonate as a germicide and toxin binder. So my questions as to my anesthesiologist friend's concerns are in context of dosages ranging from 1/2 teaspoon once per day to as much as 1/2 teaspoon 7 times per day.

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
May not harm

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Sorry, I did not see X/ properly.

So the dose ranges from 2.5 ml ( 1/2 teaspoon) to 35 ml ( 7 teaspoons).
And these in divided doses.
These are very small doses and as I told earlier, this small quantity will get neutralized in the stomach itself.
So there would not be any fluctuation in pH for this small dose.

Regards,
Dr.Barani

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj