Table 1 The results of key metabolic investigations in the patient.

From: A case of malignant hyperlactaemic acidosis appearing upon treatment with the mono-carboxylase transporter 1 inhibitor AZD3965

Investigation

Result

Reference range

Interpretation

Serum insulin (when glucose was 2.2 mmol/L)

<6 pmol/L

 

Appropriate insulin for hypoglycaemia

Blood lactate

13.4 mmol/L

<1.8

Elevated ratio, not consistent with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency

Blood pyruvate

0.28 mmol/L

0.04–0.15

Blood alanine

1.04 mmol/L

0.2–0.5

 

Blood 3-OH butyrate

0.26 mmol/L

 

Normal ratio

Plasma non-esterified fatty acids

0.65 mmol/L

 

Plasma ammonia

33 µmol/L

<50

 

Blood spot acylcarnitines

Normal

  

Urine organic acids

Elevated lactate and pyruvate, and no increase in Kreb’s cycle intermediates. Elevated ketones with no increase in dicarboxylic acids

 

Consistent with lactic acidosis and ketosis