Carbon Dioxide (Blood)

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Does this take a look at produce other names?

Carbon dioxide content material, CO2 content material, carbon dioxide blood take a look at, bicarbonate blood take a look at, bicarbonate take a look at

What is that this take a look at?

This take a look at measures how a lot carbon dioxide is within the blood in your veins.

Once you burn meals for power, your physique makes carbon dioxide as a waste product within the type of a gasoline. Your blood carries this gasoline to your lungs. You exhale carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen 1000’s of occasions a day. Carbon dioxide in your blood often causes no issues. However when you’ve got an excessive amount of or too little of it, you will have a illness or a well being emergency.

Many of the carbon dioxide in your physique is within the type of bicarbonate. Bicarbonate is used to maintain the pH of your blood (acids and bases) in stability.

The take a look at measures all varieties of carbon dioxide in your blood: bicarbonate, carbonic acid, and dissolved CO2. Due to this, it offers solely an estimate of the quantity of bicarbonate.

Why do I would like this take a look at?

You might want this take a look at in case you are having bother respiratory, particularly if you happen to really feel confused and disoriented.

You may additionally want this take a look at in case your healthcare supplier thinks you’ve got a lung, liver, or digestive illness. It is because your physique makes use of carbon dioxide to maintain a wholesome stability of acid-base (pH) and electrolytes. These illnesses are linked to modifications in ranges of bicarbonate within the blood.

You may additionally have this take a look at in case your supplier needs to examine the progress of a illness linked to blood bicarbonate ranges. This can be Cushing illness or kidney illness. You may additionally have this take a look at to take a look at any uncomfortable side effects of medicines like metformin which will trigger acidosis.

What different checks may I’ve together with this take a look at?

Your healthcare supplier may additionally order an electrolyte panel. This measures your sodium, potassium, and chloride ranges.

What do my take a look at outcomes imply?

Take a look at outcomes could differ relying in your age, gender, well being historical past, and different issues. Your take a look at outcomes could also be totally different relying on the lab used. They could not imply you’ve got an issue. Ask your healthcare supplier what your take a look at outcomes imply for you.

Outcomes are given in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Regular values in adults are 23 to 30 mEq/L.

Larger ranges of carbon dioxide could imply you’ve got:

  • Metabolic alkalosis, or an excessive amount of bicarbonate in your blood

  • Cushing illness

  • Hyperaldosteronism, an adrenal gland downside

  • Kidney failure

Decrease ranges of carbon dioxide could imply you’ve got:

  • Metabolic acidosis, or your blood is just too acidic

  • Addison illness, an adrenal gland downside

  • Ketoacidosis (it is a complication of sort 1 and kind 2 diabetes)

  • Lactic acidosis

How is that this take a look at executed?

The take a look at is finished with a blood pattern. A needle is used to attract blood from a vein in your arm or hand.

There’s one other utterly totally different take a look at by which carbon dioxide is measured in blood from an artery. This take a look at known as an arterial blood gasoline (ABG). 

Does this take a look at pose any dangers?

Having a blood take a look at with a needle carries some dangers. These embody bleeding, an infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, it’s possible you’ll really feel a slight sting or ache. Afterward, the positioning could also be sore. 

What may have an effect on my take a look at outcomes?

Sure medicines can have an effect on your outcomes.

How do I prepare for this take a look at?

You need not put together for this take a look at. Make certain your healthcare supplier is aware of about all medicines, herbs, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements you take. This contains medicines that do not want a prescription and any unlawful medication it’s possible you’ll use.