What would happen to your blood count if you drank ethelyne glycol?

Question

They found this in Chinese toothpaste

Answer 1

That's ethylene glycol or antifreeze. Probably wouldn't affect the "blood count" any but what would it matter? You will probably be dead.

Answer 2

Ethylene Glycol itself is not a danger. The problem is your body metabolizes everything. Ethylene Glycol Metabolite is extremely acidic and therefore hemotoxic.

The biggest blood count change is the blood pH will drop from the normal 7.35-7.45 range to 5's or 6's. Your blood alcohol will also be off the scale.

Your kidneys, which will try to remove the toxins, will develop crystallization of toxic chemicals. They will not be able to function.

this is a double edged sword as your kidneys are crucial in controlling acidotic condition of the blood

Answer 3

Upon ingestion, it is rapidly absorbed (within 1 to 4 hours). Less than 20% is excreted unmetabolized; most is successively metabolized to very toxic compounds. A characteristic progression of toxic effects can be roughly divided into three stages, although overlap is possible:

Stage 1: From 30 minutes to 12 hours after exposure, unmetabolized ethylene glycol produces CNS depression, intoxication, and hyperosmolarity similar to that produced by ethanol.

Stage 2: From 12 to 48 hours, metabolites produce severe acidosis with compensatory hyperventilation. The acidosis is primarily the result of an increase in glycolic acid, although glyoxylic, oxalic, and lactic acids also contribute in small part. Calcium oxalate crystals are deposited in the brain, lungs, kidneys, and heart.

Stage 3: From 24 to 72 hours, the direct toxic effects of ethylene glycol metabolites in the kidneys can cause acute renal failure.

Children do not always respond to chemicals in the same way that adults do. Different protocols for managing their care may be needed.
CNS

Unmetabolized ethylene glycol can produce an ethanol-like intoxication. Symptoms include dizziness, ataxia, disorientation, irritation, restlessness, nystagmus, headache, slurred speech, and somnolence. Severe poisoning can lead to coma and death. Cerebral edema and deposits of calcium oxalate crystals in the walls of small blood vessels contribute to the CNS toxicity.
Renal

Kidney toxicity is a major consequence of ethylene glycol absorption. Acute cell death (i.e., tubular necrosis) and kidney failure can occur within 24 to 28 hours as a result of the direct cytotoxic action of oxalic, glyoxylic, and glycolic acids or due to precipitation of calcium oxalate crystals in the renal tubules. Focal tubular degeneration, atrophy, and tubular interstitial inflammation have also been observed. Renal damage, if untreated, can lead to acute oliguric renal failure and can necessitate long-term hemodialysis. The resulting hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
Metabolic

An osmolar gap can be present early after ingestion; this represents unmetabolized ethylene glycol. It will resolve as metabolism proceeds. A severe metabolic acidosis with elevated anion gap develops as metabolism to glycolic, glyoxylic, and oxalic acids occurs. Large quantities of sodium bicarbonate can be administered without affecting the acidosis because of the ongoing generation of acid metabolites. However, over zealous alkanization could cause ionized calcium deficits. Hypocalcemia and tetany can occur as a result of calcium oxalate deposition.
Respiratory

Very high levels of inhaled ethylene glycol vapors can irritate the upper respiratory tract. Levels higher than 80 ppm produce intolerable respiratory discomfort and cough. Ethylene glycol's CNS effects can cause respiratory depression, and metabolic acidosis can result in hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis. Aspiration of ethylene glycol following ingestion can result in pulmonary edema.

Children may be more vulnerable to gas exposure because of relatively increased minute ventilation per kg and failure to evacuate an area promptly when exposed.
Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular effects include tachycardia, dysrhythmias, congestive heart failure, hypertension or hypotension, and circulatory collapse. Hyperkalemia resulting from kidney toxicity can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
Gastrointestinal

Nausea and vomiting can be present in the initial stage of intoxication.
Dermal

Ethylene glycol is a minor skin irritant, although a few cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been reported.
Ocular

Mild ocular irritation may occur after contact with ethylene glycol.
Potential Sequelae

Renal failure can occur 24 to 72 hours after an acute ingestion and can necessitate hemodialysis. Some loss of renal function can be permanent. There are infrequent reports of cranial nerve palsies (e.g., facial palsy, hearing loss, visual disturbances) or peripheral neuropathy one or more weeks after an acute poisoning.