Pseudo-Hypobicarbonatemia in Patients With Hypertriglyceridemia.

ABSTRACT

Hypobicarbonatemia with an elevated anion gap on a metabolic panel is frequently the initial marker of a life-threatening condition such as diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with epigastric pain. The two commonly used means of measuring bicarbonate levels are direct measurement from a metabolic panel and calculated measurement from arterial blood gas. In this case report, we would like to highlight a potentially serious deficiency in one of these two means and how it may lead to a dangerous misdiagnosis and subsequent mismanagement. We also shine a light on potential measures to counteract or prevent this undesirable outcome.