What is the normal pH value in the blood?
The normal pH value in the blood is between 7.35 and 7.45. Keeping the pH value in the blood constant is important for maintaining all bodily functions. This is mainly due to the fact that the structure of the body’s proteins is highly dependent on the pH value.
If the pH-value is not maintained, life-threatening complications can occur. Various buffer systems enable the blood to maintain a constant pH value and compensate for minor fluctuations that may occur, for example, due to nutrition. The totality of all factors that determine and regulate the pH are collectively called “acid-base balance“. You can find further helpful information on this topic under: pH value in humans
Is there an optimal pH value?
The pH value is subject to natural fluctuations that reflect the metabolic state. It is not possible to determine a certain optimal pH value. It is important that the natural fluctuations remain within a range between 7.35 and 7.45 so that the body functions can be maintained. An optimal pH is accordingly within this range and is kept constant by the body under normal circumstances.
How can the pH value in the blood be measured?
The measurement of the pH value in the blood is usually carried out as part of the blood gas analysis. Blood is taken either from a vein, an artery or from the earlobe using a lancing device and analyzed with special blood gas analysis equipment. These devices combine a variety of chemical test methods and determine not only the pH value but also other values such as the content of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood.
The results of the blood gas analysis can be used to determine the cause of pH derailments and to treat them accordingly. The measuring principle for pH measurement is based on the conductivity for electric current, which varies depending on the pH value. At the moment there are no possibilities available to measure the blood pH in a domestic environment. In contrast, there are test strips that can be used to measure the pH value in urine. However, this is subject to even greater fluctuations and it is not necessarily possible to draw conclusions about the pH value of the blood from the urine pH.
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