Lips Turned Blue

[Mom2Max_Lily]

Hi Dr. Keyes,
I am a 31 year old female.  My health in general is very good.  I do have asthma, which I keep under control with Flovent and I have always suffered with allergies and sinus problems.  I am not overweight and I exercise regularly.  I have 2 children; ages 2 and 4 and my pregnancies were very normal and easy with no problems.  Over the weekend, I had an experience that really scared me.  I was enjoying a "girl's night"...I had 3 drinks over about a 5 hour period and never felt tipsy.  I was also drinking water.  Late in the evening, I suddenly, out of nowhere became extrememly lightheaded and nauseous.  I sat down and continued to feel very ill.  I then had to lay down on the floor, and at that point, my friends told me that my lips had  turned blue.  I was having no trouble breathing.  My friends got me some orange juice, a banana and some peanut butter and I quickly began to feel better, but my fingertips felt tingly for quite some time afterwards and I was even experiencing some discomfort in my left arm and shoulder.  The entire experiece (aside from the arm/shoulder pain) felt identical to an experience I had several years ago while giving blood.  I became very lightheaded and the nurse said my lips turned blue at that time as well.  I do often experience dizziness upon going from a sitting to standing position.  I have two small children and am concerned that something might be wrong with me.  I am going to my family doctor tomorrow...is there anything specific I should ask him to test for?  Thank you so much for your advice!

[Mom2Max_Lily]

Thanks for all of your input/advice.  I went to the doctor yesterday and he said most likely it was a combination of dehydration and low blood sugar.  Still...it just seems pretty dramatic for someone's lips to turn blue.  I told him I just wanted to make sure that nothing serious was wrong.  He ordered a metabolic work up as well as a stress test.  I think he was doing all of that more for me than for him.  I will get the blood test results next week and take the stress test a week from tomorrow.  Thanks again for everyone's help!

[recoveredfromamonster]

I would go to the doctor and tell him everything and see what the deal is. What you described sounded like the beginning of a heart attack. But that is purely speculative. Good luck.

[SassyLassie]

Hmmm, I would get checked by a doctor. I would not just "guess" at what could be wrong. It could be hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar, the symptoms you mentioned are all symptoms of it. It could be so many things, so, to be on the safe side, I would ask for a complete blood work up and any other tests that the doctor thinks might be necessary.

Yes, the above poster is correct, vitamin D3 is the best form to take if it is needed, but, get the levels checked first.

[jill1124]

This happens to me when I drink different brands of water. It feels like they actually dehydrate me instead of hydrate. Acohol is dehydrating too so Im sure that's the problem. I'm assuming that it all leads back to my vitamin D deficiency. I've had all of your symptoms and more and just discovered a few months ago that a vitamin D deficiency can cause all these problems because without optimal levels of 50-80 you cannot absorb calcium  which is essential for proper hydration. Your calcium blood count might read as normal because your blood is the first priority so it will take calcium from your bones to survive but your organs and muscles will suffer.  If you decide to take D, take D3 5000iu a day from the health food store not the D2 50,000iu the doctor prescribes.  D2 is inferior and large doses can cause side effects.  Get your levels checked and remember levels need to be between 50 -80 for optimal calcium absorption.