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Bicarbonate (CO2)
MessagePerforming Lab: Central Lab, Hudson, Lakeview, Regions, Sartell, Westfields
Test Code
0437
Alias/See Also
Sunquest; CO2; HCO3, Bicarbonate, Carbon Dioxide
CPT Codes
82374
Preferred Specimen
0.1 mL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
52 uL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum (gold-top, red-top, red/gray-top), Lithium Heparin (light green-top) on ICE
Instructions
Processing:
Do not open a specimen tube on which a CO2 has been ordered to create an aliquot for other tests.
Do not create an aliquot for orders that include a CO2.
Ordering:
Unable to add on to samples that have been previously opened and tested.
Do not open a specimen tube on which a CO2 has been ordered to create an aliquot for other tests.
Do not create an aliquot for orders that include a CO2.
Ordering:
Unable to add on to samples that have been previously opened and tested.
Transport Temperature
Refrgerated
Specimen Stability
Room temperature (24 hours), Refrigerated (7 days), Frozen (2 weeks at -20o C)
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross Hemolysis, Aliquotted specimens.
Methodology
PEP Carboxylase
Setup Schedule
Hospital: Daily
Clinics: Monday - Friday
Clinics: Monday - Friday
Report Available
Same day.
Reference Range
| Ref Range | Critical Low | Critical High | |
| 20 - 29 mmol/L | 10 mmol/L | 39 mmol/L |
Clinical Significance
The carbonic acid–bicarbonate buffer system is one of the important buffer systems that maintains the pH of the blood. Total CO2 (i.e., bicarbonate plus dissolved CO2) measurements are used together with other clinical and laboratory information for the evaluation of acid-base disorders.
Total CO2 is generally increased in respiratory 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.
Total CO2 is generally increased in respiratory 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.
