Lactic Acidosis

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What is lactic acidosis?


Lactic acid is created when structures in the cells called mitochondria respond to high-energy demands in cases of relatively low oxygen levels. Lactic acid commonly increases with exercises designed to increase speed, strength, and muscle mass, such as sprinting and lifting weights, but is typically cleared quickly during rest periods, mostly by the liver. Conditions that decrease blood oxygen levels, interfere with the mitochondria, or decrease the clearance of lactic acid can allow lactic acid to increase to harmful levels. As lactic acid builds up, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate or irregular heart rhythm, and mental status changes can occur.

Medical conditions that can cause lactic acidosis include severe infections, kidney or liver disease, respiratory disease, heart disease, seizures, shock, cancer, severe anemia, and diabetes. Although rare, lactic acidosis can occasionally occur with metformin, a diabetes medication, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), medications used to treat HIV and AIDS.

In order to correct lactic acidosis, the underlying problem needs to be addressed. Additional treatment of lactic acidosis may include intravenous fluids, supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation, and vitamins.

Lactic acidosis can be a serious condition leading to life-threatening complications such as shock. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms, such as profuse sweating, bluish coloration of the lips and nails, chest pain, cold and clammy skin, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, weakness, decreased or absent urine output, sweating, unusual anxiety, confusion, or unconsciousness.

Seek prompt medical care if you are being treated for lactic acidosis but mild symptoms recur or are persistent.


What are the symptoms of lactic acidosis?


Common symptoms of lactic acidosis


  • Abdominal pain
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular heart rate (arrhythmia)
  • Lethargy
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
  • Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition


  • Bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails
  • Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, palpitations
  • High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Severe abdominal pain

What causes lactic acidosis?

Lactic acid forms when the mitochondria, small structures inside of cells that act somewhat like batteries, need to utilize oxygen-free methods to produce energy. This occurs when energy demands are high and oxygen is not supplied as quickly as would be necessary to meet them. Exercises that involve quick bursts of activity, such as sprinting and power lifting, commonly result in mitochondrial lactic acid production. Generally, the lactic acid is removed from the blood during rest periods and does not create significant problems.

If lactic acid is produced more quickly than it is removed, it can build up and cause lactic acidosis. Conditions and medications that interfere with the mitochondria, decrease the amount of oxygen in the blood, or decrease the clearance of lactic acid can cause lactic acid to increase to harmful levels.

What are the risk factors for lactic acidosis?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis. Not all people with risk factors will get lactic acidosis. Risk factors for lactic acidosis include:


How is lactic acidosis treated?


Common treatments for lactic acidosis

As the underlying cause is being assessed and managed, additional treatments may be given to support circulation and tissue oxygen delivery. These include:

  • Intravenous fluids to help support circulation

  • Mechanical ventilation to help enhance oxygen delivery to the lungs

  • Oxygen therapy to boost oxygen availability

Other treatments, such as vitamin therapy and dialysis, may be considered.

What are the potential complications of lactic acidosis?

Complications of untreated lactic acidosis can be severe, even life threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of lactic acidosis include:

  • Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms)

  • Decreased athletic performance

  • Shock

  • Spread of infection

  • Unconsciousness and coma

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Medical Reviewer: William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Last Review Date: 2019 Jan 4
  1. Lactic acidosis. PubMed Health, a service of the NLM from the NIH.
  2. Lactic acidosis. AIDSinfo.
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