A carbon dioxide (CO2) Amount is determined by blood test of carbon dioxide in your blood. Carbon. dioxide It is a pale, tasteless gas. Is a waste product your body makes when food is used for energy.
Your blood carries carbon dioxide It is not heavy. If you exhale, you breathe it in out carbon dioxide Too much or too little. carbon dioxide In your blood, can be a symptom of wellness issues.
Other names: carbon dioxide Content, CO2 Content, carbon dioxide Blood Test; Bicarbonate Blood Test; Bicarbonate Test; Arterial CO2; TCO2;. carbon dioxide Contents; Contents CO2; Bicarbonate; HCO3
What is it used for?
Most of the carbon dioxide In your body in the form of bicarbonate, which is considered a kind of electrolyte. An electrolyte is supposed to be a mineral charged with an electrical charge that helps keep the number of water and the balance of acids and causes (pH balance) under control.CO2 Blood tests are often considered part of a group of tests called an electrolyte panel.
An electrolyte panel can be part of an ongoing examination. The test is still useful in diagnosing or checking for conditions related to electrolyte imbalances. These include high blood pressure and kidney, renal, and liver disease.
Why do I need CO2 in my blood test?
Your doctor can order a CO2 blood test as part of your routine checkup or if you have signs of electrolyte imbalance. These signs can be
- shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- vomiting and/or diarrhea over a longer period of time.
The physician can still order a CO2 blood test to find side effects of certain medications that can pull electrolytes out of balance.
What happens during a CO2 blood test?
The doctor will take blood from a vein in your arm with a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. You will feel some pressure as the needle goes in and out. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Need to prepare for the test?
No special substances are needed for the CO2 or electrolyte blood tests. If your doctor orders more testing of your blood sample, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for a few hours for the test. Your doctor will tell you if you should follow any special instructions.
Are there any risks associated with the tests?
There are considerable risks associated with blood testing. There will be slight soreness and bruising in the area where the needle is inserted, but most signs will disappear quickly.
What do the results mean?
Abnormal test results may be a symptom of your body’s difficulty in maintaining proper acid-base balance (pH balance). This could be because your kidneys are having difficulty removing acid-base (pH balance) carbon dioxide or because electrolytes are out of balance. Almost all different types of criteria can cause these difficulties.
Too much CO2 in the blood can be a symptom of many criteria, including
- Lung disease
- Cushing’s syndrome
- renal failure
- metabolic alkalosis, a condition in which there is little or no acid in the blood. Nausea, dehydration, loss of appetite, etc. can result in loss of acidity from these criteria.
Too little CO2 in the blood may be a symptom.
- Aggravation of diabetes mellitus, such as Addison’s disease,1
- Diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Shock.
- Metabolic acidosis, a condition in which your blood is very acidic. This can be caused by almost anything, including kidney or liver damage, prolonged diarrhea, etc.
- Respiratory alkalosis, a condition in which your blood is slightly sour due to breathing disorders, including hyperventilation (fast, difficult breathing).
If the test results are not in the normal spectrum, this does not necessarily mean that there is a disease that needs to be cured. Other things, including certain medications, can affect blood CO2 levels. Consult with your Internet provider to find out what your results mean.
Is there anything else I should know about the CO2 blood test?
Certain prescribed and freely available medications may increase or decrease the amount of blood CO of carbon dioxide in your blood. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.
Supplied by MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library.
