Severe anion gap metabolic acidosis associated with initiation of a very low-carbohydrate diet

J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2019 Apr 12;9(2):165-167. doi: 10.1080/20009666.2019.1583534. eCollection 2019 Apr.

Abstract

Low carbohydrate diets have been popularized as an effective solution for weight loss. Although rare, life-threatening anion gap metabolic acidosis has been reported in patients on these diets. We present a case of a 31-year-old man with atypical symptoms of chest pain and shortness of breath found to have severe metabolic acidosis after starting low carbohydrate diet for a week.

Keywords: Low carbohydrate diet; anion gap; dialysis; metabolic acidosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports