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CO2, Total
MessageTest performed at York Hospital Laboratory.
Test Code
CO2
Alias/See Also
Carbon Dioxide
CPT Codes
82374
Preferred Specimen
0.2 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)
Other Acceptable Specimens
0.2 mL serum collected in a no additive (red-top) tube, transferred to a plastic screw-cap vial
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: 1 month
Refrigerated: 3 days
Frozen: 1 month
Methodology
Spectrophotometry
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Next Day
Available STAT 1/2 Hour
Available STAT 1/2 Hour
Reference Range
22-30 mmol/L
Critical Values
<10 or >40 mmol/L
Critical Values
<10 or >40 mmol/L
Clinical Significance
Total CO2 measurements are used together with other clinical and laboratory information of the evaluation of acid-base disorders. Total CO2 is generally increased in respriatory acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, and excessive alkali intake. CO2 is decreased in compensated respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and in renal disorders where H+ ions cannot be excreted.
