Doctors can check people’s blood for normal or abnormal carbon dioxide, or CO2, levels to help diagnose certain medical conditions. For example, a CO2 test can help diagnose kidney and respiratory problems.
The CO2 test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of CO2 gas in a person’s blood. It is usually part of a larger test called an electrolyte panel.
The kidneys and lungs maintain the concentration of CO2 in the blood. If a person’s blood CO2 levels are above the normal range, a doctor may request further tests to check kidney and lung function, to assess other gases in the blood, or to check for fluid retention.
In this article, we look at the CO2 test, normal blood CO2 levels, and what abnormal results might mean.
A healthcare professional may order a CO2 as part of a routine checkup or to investigate the underlying cause of certain symptoms. They may also recommend it in the case of a medical emergency or just before surgery.
People experiencing the following symptoms may receive a CO2 blood test:
- nausea or vomiting
- shortness of breath
- breathing difficulties
- confusion or feelings of faintness
A healthcare professional will likely perform a CO2 blood test as part of an electrolyte panel to check a person’s bicarbonate, a form of CO2, levels.
This test measures levels of electrolytes, including sodium, chloride, and potassium in the blood, along with bicarbonate levels. Electrolytes keep the body’s fluid balance in check and help maintain heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and brain function.
The electrolyte panel tells doctors how well a person’s kidneys are functioning. High or low bicarbonate levels can indicate that a person has metabolic alkalosis or acidosis, respectively.
Both arterial and venous blood draws can provide an overall picture of a person’s electrolyte status and the balance of acids and bases in their blood.
Source: Medical News Today
A healthcare professional may order a CO2 as part of a routine checkup or to investigate the underlying cause of certain symptoms. They may also recommend it in the case of a medical emergency or just before surgery.
People experiencing the following symptoms may receive a CO2 blood test:
- nausea or vomiting
- shortness of breath
- breathing difficulties
- confusion or feelings of faintness
A healthcare professional will likely perform a CO2 blood test as part of an electrolyte panel to check a person’s bicarbonate, a form of CO2, levels.
This test measures levels of electrolytes, including sodium, chloride, and potassium in the blood, along with bicarbonate levels. Electrolytes keep the body’s fluid balance in check and help maintain heart rhythm, muscle contractions, and brain function.
The electrolyte panel tells doctors how well a person’s kidneys are functioning. High or low bicarbonate levels can indicate that a person has metabolic alkalosis or acidosis, respectively.
Both arterial and venous blood draws can provide an overall picture of a person’s electrolyte status and the balance of acids and bases in their blood.
Source: Medical News Today
No comments:
Post a Comment