CO2

Message

Separate plasma/serum from cells immediately and keep tightly capped. After centrifugation, if not in gel barrier tube, pour off plasma or serum into an aliquot tube.

Test Code

LAB55

Alias/See Also

Carbon dioxide

CPT Codes
82374

Preferred Specimen

Lithium Heparin (PST)

Minimum Volume

4.5 ml (2.0 ml min) lithium heparin (green); alternate-SST (gold) or Red (no additive) tubes

Other Acceptable Specimens

Gold (SST)

Instructions

Spin PST or SST and send to lab

Transport Container

1 ml (200 ul minimum) plasma; alternate-serum

Specimen Stability

Once separated from cells, Bicarbonate in serum is stable for several hours when stored at 2 – 8°C and protected
from exposure to air.

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Icteric: 30 mg/dL, Hemolysis: >500 ug/dL hemoglobin, Lipemia: 1000 mg/dL

Methodology
Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE)

Setup Schedule

Mon-Sun

Reference Range

22.0-32.0 mmol/L

Clinical Significance

Bicarbonate measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous potentially serious disorders
associated with changes in body acid-base balance

Performing Laboratory
Piedmont Athens Regional

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.