PH Of Blood: Normal Levels, Changes, Symptoms, Tests, And More

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Medical News TodaySubscribepH of blood: What to know

Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Lowri Daniels on May 22, 2020

Normal levels
Changes
Causes
Symptoms of changes
Tests
Summary

The pH of blood refers to how acidic it is. Changes to blood pH can signal underlying medical issues, including metabolic acidosis, respiratory acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, and respiratory alkalosis.

The pH scale, otherwise known as the acid-base scale, runs from 0 to 14. It measures how acidic a solution of a substance in water is. For example, pure water has a pH of 7.

Solutions with a low pH have a high concentration of hydrogen ions and are acidic. Solutions with a high pH have a lower concentration of hydrogen ions and are alkaline, or basic.

The pH scale is a compact scale, and small changes in pH represent big leaps in acidity.

This article will look at what the normal pH level of blood is and what can cause the pH level to move outside of this range. It will also examine what can happen to the body if blood pH levels go above or below the normal range.

Normal blood pH levels

a bag of blood that should have a PH of between 7.35 and 7.45 — A sudden change in blood pH may indicate an underlying health problem.

The pH of blood in the arteries should be between 7.35 and 7.45 for the body’s metabolic processes and other systems to work well. These processes produce acids, so the body has a complex system of feedback and regulation to maintain healthy pH levels.

Much of the acid made in the body is carbonic acid. This forms when carbon dioxide combines with water. Carbon dioxide occurs within the tissues of the body due to the process of respiration.

The lungs and the kidneys are the two main organs that regulate the pH of the blood, often at the same time. There are also chemical buffering mechanisms throughout the body’s cells.

The lungs can help regulate blood pH rapidly through the process of exhaling carbon dioxide, sometimes producing changes within seconds. For example, when someone exercises, they produce more carbon dioxide, so they breathe faster to prevent the blood from becoming too acidic.

The kidneys regulate the pH of the blood by excreting acids in urine. They also produce and regulate bicarbonate, which increases blood pH. These changes take longer than those that occur due to breathing, potentially taking hours or days.

Changes in pH blood level

Certain situations and medical conditions can mean that the body is unable to keep blood pH within the healthy range.

The pH of the blood can change in both directions.

Acidosis occurs when the blood is too acidic, with a pH below 7.35. Alkalosis occurs when the blood is not acidic enough, with a pH above 7.45.

There are four main ways in which blood pH can change:

Metabolic acidosis: This occurs due to reduced bicarbonate or increased acid levels.
Respiratory acidosis: This occurs when the body removes less carbon dioxide than usual.
Metabolic alkalosis: This occurs due to increased bicarbonate or reduced acid levels.
Respiratory alkalosis: This occurs when the body removes more carbon dioxide than usual.

To restore blood pH levels to a healthy range, it is important to identify and treat the underlying issue that has caused the change.

Causes of blood pH changes

Metabolic changes in blood pH can occur as a result of kidney conditions or problems. Respiratory changes relate to how the lungs are working.

When a change happens in one direction, there are mechanisms to move the acid-base balance the other way. For example, if a person has respiratory acidosis, there should be a metabolic response from the kidneys to reset the balance.

If the body does not reset the pH balance, it can lead to more severe illness. For example, this can happen if the level of acidosis is too serious, or if the person’s kidneys are not working well.

Depending on the cause, changes in blood pH can be either long lasting or brief.

The sections below will look at the specific causes of each type of change to blood pH.

Metabolic acidosis

Metabolic acidosis can occur due to:

kidney damage that leads to urea and other waste products building up in the blood
strenuous exercise, which produces lactic acid
consuming certain substances, such as aspirin, methanol, or paraldehyde
losing bicarbonate from the body, such as during chronic diarrhea
infection
an excess of acids called ketones in the blood

Ketoacidosis typically occurs in people with diabetes or due to alcohol misuse.

Learn more about diabetic ketoacidosis here.

Respiratory acidosis

Respiratory acidosis occurs due to conditions that make breathing difficult. These include:

lung conditions, such as pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
congestive heart failure
severe obesity
myasthenia gravis
Guillain-Barre syndrome
brain injury

Using drugs such as opiates can also lead to respiratory acidosis.

Metabolic alkalosis

Some causes of metabolic alkalosis include:

excess consumption of bicarbonate, antacids, or citrate
Cushing’s disease, wherein there is too much of the hormone cortisol in the blood
prolonged vomiting or serious dehydration
an excess of fluid in the body
taking too many laxatives
some diuretics, which are medications that help the body get rid of excess water or salt

Respiratory alkalosis

Respiratory alkalosis often occurs due to situations or conditions that make people breathe quicker or deeper than usual. These include:

shock, fear, or panic
high temperature
serious infection
some lung conditions, such as pneumonia
pulmonary embolism
liver failure
aspirin overdose, as the body overcompensates for the high acid levels this causes

Symptoms of blood pH changes

If a person’s blood pH moves outside of the healthy range, they can begin to experience certain symptoms.

The symptoms they experience will depend on whether their blood has become more acidic or is no longer acidic enough.

Some symptoms of acidosis include:

headache
confusion
tiredness
lethargy and sleepiness
coughing and shortness of breath
an uneven or increased heart rate
stomach upset or feeling sick
muscle seizures or weakness
unconsciousness and coma

Symptoms of alkalosis include:

confusion and lightheadedness
shaky hands
numbness or tingling in the feet, hands, or face
muscle twitches or spasms
vomiting or nausea
coma

Blood pH tests

There are two main types of tests that doctors can use to find out the pH of someone’s blood: arterial blood gas testing and electrolyte testing.

Knowing the pH of a person’s blood can help a doctor find out if that person has an acid-base disorder.

Doctors can also use these tests to monitor blood pH levels, establish and treat any underlying causes, and help care for people who are critically ill.

Arterial blood gas tests often take place in a hospital. They measure the acidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels of the blood. A doctor will remove a small amount of blood, often from the wrist. They will then send this sample to a laboratory for analysis.

Electrolyte tests may be a part of routine care, or a doctor may perform them when a person becomes seriously ill. The test measures the levels of salts and minerals, such as bicarbonate, that are present in the blood. The doctor will usually need to take blood from a vein in the arm.

The results of these tests can help a doctor determine what is causing certain symptoms and whether or not the body’s regulatory systems are working correctly.

Summary

The pH of blood refers to how acidic it is.

The typical pH for blood in the arteries is 7.35 to 7.45. A complex set of mechanisms and feedback loops help regulate blood pH and keep the body working properly.

When the pH of the blood changes, it can indicate an underlying health concern that needs addressing. A doctor can use arterial blood gas and electrolyte tests to identify when this happens and make appropriate treatment recommendations.

Respiratory
Blood / Hematology
Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Urology / Nephrology

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Acidosis and alkalosis. (2019). https://labtestsonline.org.uk/conditions/acidosis-and-alkalosis
Acidosis and alkalosis: Tests and treatment. (2017).https://www.labtestsonline.org.au/acidosis-alkalosis-tests-and-treatments
A primer on pH. (n.d).https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/co2/story/A+primer+on+pH
Castro, D., & Keenaghan, M. (2020). Arterial blood gas. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536919/
Chapter 26.4: Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance: Acid-base balance. Anatomy and Physiology. (n.d.). https://opentextbc.ca/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/26-4-acid-base-balance/
Chapter 26.5: Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance: Disorders of acid-base balance. Anatomy and Physiology. (n.d.). https://opentextbc.ca/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/26-5-disorders-of-acid-base-balance/
Diuretics: adverse effects. (n.d.). https://selfstudyplus.openanesthesia.org/kw/entry/12863
Electrolytes and anion gap. (2019).https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/electrolytes-and-anion-gap
Electrolyte test. (2018). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/electrolyte-test/
Guillain-Barré syndrome information page. (2019). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Guillain-Barr%C3%A9-Syndrome-Information-Page
Hopkins, E., & Sharma, S. (2019). Physiology, acid base balance. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507807/
Meyer, T. W., & Hostetter, T. H. (2014). Approaches to uremia. https://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/25/10/2151
Myasthenia gravis fact sheet. (2020). https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Myasthenia-Gravis-Fact-Sheet

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Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — Written by Lowri Daniels on May 22, 2020

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Changes in pH blood level

Causes of blood pH changes

Metabolic acidosis

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