Bicarbonate levels?

[SOct91]

Hello - I’m trying not to have too much anxiety about this but my latest lab work showed low levels of bicarbonate (CO2). It’s been steadily declining and finally reached below range, 19 on a scale of 20+ but my nephrologist said I should be around 22. My creatinine and BUN are high, but stable and in the range I’ve been in for a long time with my transplanted kidney (I’ve been told I’m between stage 3a/3b CKD) I don’t know if it’s something I did or if it’s decreasing kidney function which is really scary to me. I’m very active (strength training) and eat a lot of protein so wondering if that’s not so great. Anyone have any experience or tips for managing bicarbonate levels? My Dr doesn’t want to put me on pills just yet until a repeat lab. Ps I’m 35 and have had my kidney for 30yrs

[jennifer24]

Hi I have my kidney transplant for 21 years and I'm super scare that my function is 35 percent after so long I read your post honestly we are in the same boat right I don't know alot or never heard of bicarbonate levels I just did some research and my best advice which lots of people here has giving is drink lots of water dehydration could cause the bicarbonate levels to elevated .wish u the best of luck God Bless....

[LisaSnow]

Bicarbonate level changes with age and lots of other things. It can be easily supplemented if yours is low. I wouldn't be too worried. It in itself is not a marker of the health of your transplant.

[BabyTee]

I had low bicarbonate levels when I was diagnosed with diabetes, but that involved a diabetic coma as a child. My bicarbonate was less than 1. That was because in the 70s, people didn't know about type 1 diabetes, so I was undiagnosed for so long that I had ketoacidosis for probably a year before I fell into a coma.

I also took it on and off while I was on PD. I am not sure why sometimes my levels were low and sometimes normal. I basically took sodium bicarbonate pills based on blood work. By the time I was on dialysis, I was so sick that I just did what I was told. Wish I knew more.