How to Calculate Base Deficit

When you eat a blueberry or cranberry, you are experiencing the tartness of an acidic food with a pH level below the neutral point of approximately 7.0. If you were to eat an apple, banana or peach, you are eating an alkaline food with a pH on the base side of the pH scale. Your blood can similarly have an acid or base pH, and this is measured by calculating the base deficit. Base deficit calculates the quantity of acid or alkali which are required to return the blood plasma to a normal pH (under standard conditions). More specifically, base excess is defined as the negative value of the concentration of the hydrogen ion in blood or plasma. There are generally two conditions to be concerned with when considering base deficit, metabolic acidosis or compensated respiratory alkalosis.

Things You'll Need

• Saliva pH paper
• pH chart
• Blood test, analysis

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Instructions

Saliva pH Test

• 1

  Tear off a one-inch strip of pH paper, place the paper into the saliva and compare the pH of the paper with that of the pH color chart that comes with the kit. If the saliva pH is below 7.0, then it is leaning towards the acid side of the scale. The lower the pH is below 7, the greater the degree of acid stress. While this test does not directly measure the blood pH level, a saliva test generally mirrors the pH level of the blood, so it gives you some indication as to the base deficit.

• 2

  Repeat the test for a few weeks several times a day but not directly after meals.

• 3

  Record your results and keep a chart. If you have any concerns about an abnormal pH level, consult you doctor for a blood test.

Blood Test for Base Deficit

• 4

  Remove all gas from a clean, new syringe and prepare for blood test. This test should be performed only by a licensed clinician. Blood should be drawn to be analyzed.

• 5

  Analyze blood for base deficit, which will indicate the pH level of the blood and any abnormalities in blood pH level. The arterial blood gas test will measure not only blood pH, base deficit, but will also test the blood for dissolved gases. A decrease from normal in the total concentration of bicarbonate is also an indicator of abnormal conditions in the blood caused by metabolic acidosis or compensated respiratory alkalosis.

• 6

  Compare your blood pH level to that of the normal pH range and follow your doctor's direction in correcting any high or low pH levels. Variations beyond the normal range can cause damage to the central nervous system. Therefore, calculating base deficit is a good preventive health measure.