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HIGH CO2 IN BLOOD
I recently had a metabolic blood study done. My doctor told me that my CO2 was a little elevated. She also said that she wanted to retest in a month, which she did. It is still elevated. She says that I could be dehydrated, but, I drink tons of water. I have researched, and only get more confused. My question is could this come from not having a thyroid. I am taking Naturethroid. Could natural thyroid hormone cause high CO2. Doctor doesn't tell me very much. She just gets her assistant to call me with the bad news, but, I have to wait forever for her to tell me what to do.
I am having the same problem. All my doctor will check in my blood is Free T3 and Free T4. I told her my problem is with my Total T3. She will not check it in my blood.
1 Comments
I cannot imagine you would learn anything more from a Total T3 test. Total T3 and Total T4 represents the total amount in serum. Most T4 and T3 is bound to protein. The small unbound portions are called "Free". Free T4 is a prohormone that is converted to the biologically active form Free T3. Symptoms have been shown to be mostly related to FT4 and FT3 levels. So med doses should be adjusted based on symptoms and also levels of FT4 andFT3, not by TSH levels.
Since you mention FT4 and FT3, if you will provide your med and dosage and your FT4 and FT3 levels, along with their reference range shown on the lab report we will be happy to help assess your status. Even more importantly please tell us about any symptoms you have.
Since you mention FT4 and FT3, if you will provide your med and dosage and your FT4 and FT3 levels, along with their reference range shown on the lab report we will be happy to help assess your status. Even more importantly please tell us about any symptoms you have.
Potassium levels are within the guidelines on my test, done just two weeks ago. So, I am guessing that is ok. Thinking about backing off the potassium supplements that I take from one daily to a one a couple of weeks. Yes, I know what hypo means. That is what I am since having my thyroid removed. All this stuff is something that we will continue to have to balance throughout our lives. Could be worst though. Not complaining. Hope that things are well with you. Thanks for your response.
I actually meant low potassium. I do have brain fog *sigh*
"Metabolic alkalosis is usually accompanied by hypokalemia (high potassium)." Hypo means underactive or low. Spot the error! :)
"Metabolic alkalosis is usually accompanied by hypokalemia (high potassium)." Hypo means underactive or low. Spot the error! :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your CO2 "may" have been high, even when you had a thyroid, or this could be a one time thing.........
"The blood in your urine is probably a byproduct of your thyroid." It's not thyroid related.
"Your opinion on your doctors. Are you having any luck finding a good one or have you gone through the same search (5) that I have." I'm on my first endo and though he isn't the best in the world, he tests adequately and lets me help determine my dosage, based on both labs and symptoms. I do have a very low TSH (< 0.01), which scares the daylights out of most doctors, and while my endo doesn't like it that low, he acknowledges that it's due to the fact that I take a T3 med.
I've had several pcps over the years; the one who diagnosed my hypo was horrible and I truly thought he was going to kill me because after my TSH dropped so low, he kept backing off on my med in order to bring it back up...... He had me almost off med and back to being so sick I could barely navigate. It was actually an ENT that I was seeing for unrelated issues, who diagnosed Hashi and referred me to the endo.
My current pcp is very good, but he doesn't do anything with my thyroid levels, because he's not familiar with the meds I take.
Very few doctors are willing to address adrenal issues; usually in order to get those issues resolved many people have to find an integrative medical person. I've read that blood cortisol levels are accurate, you just have to do them several times/day like you do the saliva and/or urine tests.
"The blood in your urine is probably a byproduct of your thyroid." It's not thyroid related.
"Your opinion on your doctors. Are you having any luck finding a good one or have you gone through the same search (5) that I have." I'm on my first endo and though he isn't the best in the world, he tests adequately and lets me help determine my dosage, based on both labs and symptoms. I do have a very low TSH (< 0.01), which scares the daylights out of most doctors, and while my endo doesn't like it that low, he acknowledges that it's due to the fact that I take a T3 med.
I've had several pcps over the years; the one who diagnosed my hypo was horrible and I truly thought he was going to kill me because after my TSH dropped so low, he kept backing off on my med in order to bring it back up...... He had me almost off med and back to being so sick I could barely navigate. It was actually an ENT that I was seeing for unrelated issues, who diagnosed Hashi and referred me to the endo.
My current pcp is very good, but he doesn't do anything with my thyroid levels, because he's not familiar with the meds I take.
Very few doctors are willing to address adrenal issues; usually in order to get those issues resolved many people have to find an integrative medical person. I've read that blood cortisol levels are accurate, you just have to do them several times/day like you do the saliva and/or urine tests.
Hi Barb;
You are right. We thyroidless people tend to worry waaaay too much about things that are not worrying about. It could have been that way when I had a thyroid, who knows. YEP, I've managed to stop worrying so much too. The blood in your urine is probably a byproduct of your thyroid. After all our bodies are not working like before. There are times, when I get the funniest sensations. They are scary, but, they eventually go away. Your opinion on your doctors. Are you having any luck finding a good one or have you gone through the same search (5) that I have. Unbelievable. One doctor may script NT, and not concentrate on the adrenals. We are on our own for adrenals. I send away for a saliva kit to test mine. All the doctors that I know draw blood to test. We all know that is not a true reading. This is why we have to have forums. So that we can share experiences and knowledge. I know that had I not found forums, I would still be hurting, big time. Good to have met you. I hope we can talk on and off now that we've met. Thank you for your opinion.
You are right. We thyroidless people tend to worry waaaay too much about things that are not worrying about. It could have been that way when I had a thyroid, who knows. YEP, I've managed to stop worrying so much too. The blood in your urine is probably a byproduct of your thyroid. After all our bodies are not working like before. There are times, when I get the funniest sensations. They are scary, but, they eventually go away. Your opinion on your doctors. Are you having any luck finding a good one or have you gone through the same search (5) that I have. Unbelievable. One doctor may script NT, and not concentrate on the adrenals. We are on our own for adrenals. I send away for a saliva kit to test mine. All the doctors that I know draw blood to test. We all know that is not a true reading. This is why we have to have forums. So that we can share experiences and knowledge. I know that had I not found forums, I would still be hurting, big time. Good to have met you. I hope we can talk on and off now that we've met. Thank you for your opinion.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sometimes, things just "happen" and there's no real reason or actual danger. If your CO2 levels weren't REALLY high, maybe it's not even anything to be concerned about.
For example, I'm known to have blood in my urine for many years, which is definitely not "normal"; however, I've had every test you can think of and they can't find a reason for it. It's monitored closely.
If your high CO2 isn't causing problems (or coming from a known cause), it may not be anything to worry about. It may be back to normal on your next blood work.
For example, I'm known to have blood in my urine for many years, which is definitely not "normal"; however, I've had every test you can think of and they can't find a reason for it. It's monitored closely.
If your high CO2 isn't causing problems (or coming from a known cause), it may not be anything to worry about. It may be back to normal on your next blood work.
I don't know why people are suggesting things for low CO2. They mean well. Just trying to help.
Yes, I know quite a lot about TSH. My frees are tested every four months. You are right, I am not hyper at all. I am satisfied with my low TSH. I had papillary cancer, so I keep my TSH low on that account, I know exactly what it feels like to have your TSH at 30-40. It feels like you are dead. An endo I had at the time of my surgery, put me on Levothyroxine 88mg, and refused to raise it so that my TSH would fall. I kicked her to the curb quick. I was never so sick in all my life. Glad that I did. She could have bottomed our my adrenals.
I had a saliva test done a month ago to see how my adrenals were. They are not perfect, but, they are not that bad either. I am ok except for the morning cortisol. It is low. Although, it is low, I bounce out of bed and go to the gym. So, it is not keeping me sleepy or tired. Yes, I know about the doctor's ranges. To be honest, I take what they say with a grain of salt. To me they are very under educated in the thyroid area. There are so many things that go on with thyroidless people that it could be anything. I am a shallow breather by choice. Trying not to inhale a lot of chemicals, and other things. I have started to teach myself to breath from the stomach and not the chest, and expell better. This could also be a cause. The doctor that I have doesn't seem to know why my CO2 levels are slightly high. I bet she's trying to figure what test to do next. LOL. I have spent so much money, agony and time worrying about the thyroid thing. I have decided to stop letting these doctors bounce me around from test to test. Costs too much money, and they still don't know the answer. Most thyroid people that I talk with say that adrenals can cause high or low CO2 readings. I will continue to seek answers as to why, but, with caution concerning what doctors think. A good way to get rid of all of this is to go on bio identical hormones. Too expensive though. Not certain if I fully trust that either. Thanks for responding. Enjoy your Sunday.
Yes, I know quite a lot about TSH. My frees are tested every four months. You are right, I am not hyper at all. I am satisfied with my low TSH. I had papillary cancer, so I keep my TSH low on that account, I know exactly what it feels like to have your TSH at 30-40. It feels like you are dead. An endo I had at the time of my surgery, put me on Levothyroxine 88mg, and refused to raise it so that my TSH would fall. I kicked her to the curb quick. I was never so sick in all my life. Glad that I did. She could have bottomed our my adrenals.
I had a saliva test done a month ago to see how my adrenals were. They are not perfect, but, they are not that bad either. I am ok except for the morning cortisol. It is low. Although, it is low, I bounce out of bed and go to the gym. So, it is not keeping me sleepy or tired. Yes, I know about the doctor's ranges. To be honest, I take what they say with a grain of salt. To me they are very under educated in the thyroid area. There are so many things that go on with thyroidless people that it could be anything. I am a shallow breather by choice. Trying not to inhale a lot of chemicals, and other things. I have started to teach myself to breath from the stomach and not the chest, and expell better. This could also be a cause. The doctor that I have doesn't seem to know why my CO2 levels are slightly high. I bet she's trying to figure what test to do next. LOL. I have spent so much money, agony and time worrying about the thyroid thing. I have decided to stop letting these doctors bounce me around from test to test. Costs too much money, and they still don't know the answer. Most thyroid people that I talk with say that adrenals can cause high or low CO2 readings. I will continue to seek answers as to why, but, with caution concerning what doctors think. A good way to get rid of all of this is to go on bio identical hormones. Too expensive though. Not certain if I fully trust that either. Thanks for responding. Enjoy your Sunday.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I can't stress enough, what a bad indicator of actual thyroid hormone TSH is. TSH fluctuates greatly, even intraday and just because your TSH is 0.005, doesn't mean you are hyper, if you don't have hyper symptoms. My TSH has been < 0.01 for the past 6 yrs and I've never been hyper. The only way my TSH will come up is to take away all my medication, which obviously, will make me very ill.
Thyroid well being does not hinge on TSH; it hinges on the actual thyroid hormone levels in your body. You need to have the Free T3 and Free T4 tests done, so you can see what your levels actually are. Be aware that simply being "in range" doesn't mean it's right for you. We're all different so we all need different levels.
"From what I am hearing on another site, low co2 could be due to my adrenals needing help. They suggest taking HC." I'm confused (not unusual); in your original post, you said your CO2 was high; why are people suggesting things for low CO2?
Thyroid well being does not hinge on TSH; it hinges on the actual thyroid hormone levels in your body. You need to have the Free T3 and Free T4 tests done, so you can see what your levels actually are. Be aware that simply being "in range" doesn't mean it's right for you. We're all different so we all need different levels.
"From what I am hearing on another site, low co2 could be due to my adrenals needing help. They suggest taking HC." I'm confused (not unusual); in your original post, you said your CO2 was high; why are people suggesting things for low CO2?
Hi Barb;
I am on Naturethroid. My TT was in 2010. I am still doing a balancing act with titration. My TSH levels are 0.005, which my doctor wants to raise. The only problem with that is if he raises it, I don't think that I will have enough thyroid hormones in my body to feed my cells.
All of this is just so confusing. I have been trying to educate myself for almost three years. I get one thing under control, and now, this co2 thing pops up. Doctors know so little about thyroidless people. So, we learn by sharing with each other. I do not feel any symptoms from whatever this is. I still workout four days, 2 hours at a time, with cardio and weights. Before TT I worked out everyday. I get a little tired sometimes, but, overall I do ok with no thyroid. From what I am hearing on another site, low co2 could be due to my adrenals needing help. They suggest taking HC. I really do not want to get into taking anything to take over for my adrenals. It is only my morning cortisol that is low. The rest of the day seems to fall within ranges. I am taking a group of vitamins to supposedly help the adrenals. I am almost this new doctor that I have will want to put me through a number of unnecessary tests to try to get to the bottom of this. And, I know that most of them will be because she knows nothing about the thyroid. The guessing gets tiring and expensive. So, I am trying to educate myself as much as possible about co2 so that I can know what tests are most important, or if this co2 thing can even be helped, since I do not have a thyroid. Thank you again.
I am on Naturethroid. My TT was in 2010. I am still doing a balancing act with titration. My TSH levels are 0.005, which my doctor wants to raise. The only problem with that is if he raises it, I don't think that I will have enough thyroid hormones in my body to feed my cells.
All of this is just so confusing. I have been trying to educate myself for almost three years. I get one thing under control, and now, this co2 thing pops up. Doctors know so little about thyroidless people. So, we learn by sharing with each other. I do not feel any symptoms from whatever this is. I still workout four days, 2 hours at a time, with cardio and weights. Before TT I worked out everyday. I get a little tired sometimes, but, overall I do ok with no thyroid. From what I am hearing on another site, low co2 could be due to my adrenals needing help. They suggest taking HC. I really do not want to get into taking anything to take over for my adrenals. It is only my morning cortisol that is low. The rest of the day seems to fall within ranges. I am taking a group of vitamins to supposedly help the adrenals. I am almost this new doctor that I have will want to put me through a number of unnecessary tests to try to get to the bottom of this. And, I know that most of them will be because she knows nothing about the thyroid. The guessing gets tiring and expensive. So, I am trying to educate myself as much as possible about co2 so that I can know what tests are most important, or if this co2 thing can even be helped, since I do not have a thyroid. Thank you again.
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my inquiry. In answer to your response; I am on probiotics and enzymes with meals. There is a very good chance that my stomach acid is low. I seem to feel ok as long as I take the probiotics and enzymes, which I think help to digest my foods. I recently took gluten out of my diet. Too soon to know though. As far as the other things that you mentioned, I do not vomit, or have fever. I will check with the doctor to see how high it is. She just said it's high. Not like me to not get more answers though. She always has someone call me, and she usually knows nothing, except what the doctor tells her to say. You mentioned high potassium. I take potassium daily. Could that be a problem. I will have to research some of the words you used to get a better understanding of some of your usage. Thanks for making me aware. Appreciate your time.
Common causes of increased CO2: alkalosis, hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid). Less common causes of increased CO2: acute vomiting, fever, adrenal hyperfunction, emphysema (respiratory distress). If CO2 is above 32mmol/L, a pulmonary function test is warranted.
In metabolic alkalosis, HCO3 rises and then CO2 rises (respiratory compensation). Metabolic alkalosis is usually accompanied by hypokalemia (high potassium). Hypothyroidism is a noted cause of hypochlorhydria.
In metabolic alkalosis, HCO3 rises and then CO2 rises (respiratory compensation). Metabolic alkalosis is usually accompanied by hypokalemia (high potassium). Hypothyroidism is a noted cause of hypochlorhydria.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hyperaldosteronism is an adrenal disorder. There are 2 types of hyperaldosteronism: primary and secondary. Primary hyperaldosteronism is simply when the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone. "Most cases of primary hyperaldosteronism are caused by a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the adrenal gland."
"In secondary hyperaldosteronism, the excess aldosterone is caused by something outside the adrenal gland that mimics the primary condition.
Secondary hyperaldosteronism is usually due to high blood pressure. It is also related to disorders such as:
Cirrhosis of the liver
Heart failure
Nephrotic syndrome"
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000330.htm
Yes, everything in the body is affected by the thyroid; not having one, is the same as those of us whose thyroid glands have "burned out", stopped producing. Neither having thyroid surgically removed, nor having one that no longer produces causes high CO2 levels.
I used to be really healthy too....... not having a functioning thyroid gland doesn't have to be a crap shoot, though, if your med is adjusted properly to get/keep your thyroid hormone levels where you need them.
"In secondary hyperaldosteronism, the excess aldosterone is caused by something outside the adrenal gland that mimics the primary condition.
Secondary hyperaldosteronism is usually due to high blood pressure. It is also related to disorders such as:
Cirrhosis of the liver
Heart failure
Nephrotic syndrome"
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000330.htm
Yes, everything in the body is affected by the thyroid; not having one, is the same as those of us whose thyroid glands have "burned out", stopped producing. Neither having thyroid surgically removed, nor having one that no longer produces causes high CO2 levels.
I used to be really healthy too....... not having a functioning thyroid gland doesn't have to be a crap shoot, though, if your med is adjusted properly to get/keep your thyroid hormone levels where you need them.
Hi Barb and thank you. No, I am not taking any corticosteroids or antacids on a regular basis. I am a shallow breather though. I don't know if that could have anything to do with it. I just had a saliva test done and my cortisol levels are is within limits, except for the morning, 3.6 ranges 3.7-p.5. Vomiting is out. Hyperaldosteronism, maybe. Havn't had it checked. Not really certain what that is. When I said caused by thyroid, I meant when one does not have a thyroid, everything in the body is affected. I used to be very healthy. Now, it's a crap shoot. If you have time, I would appreciate your explaining hyperaldosteronism. Thanks again for your comment. If you know of any way this can be cured, I would appreciate knowing. I am concentrating on my breathing now.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Are you taking any corticosteroids or antacids on a regular basis? Either of those can increase CO2 levels.
It can also be caused by breathing disorders, Cushing Syndrome (caused by too much cortisol), Hyperaldosteronism (adrenal disorder), vomiting.
It wouldn't be caused by not having a thyroid.
It can also be caused by breathing disorders, Cushing Syndrome (caused by too much cortisol), Hyperaldosteronism (adrenal disorder), vomiting.
It wouldn't be caused by not having a thyroid.
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