CO2
Alternate Names : Bicarbonate Test, Carbon Dioxide, HCO3-
Definition
This is a blood test that measures the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in serum (the liquid portion of the blood).
Serum CO2 is really a measure of serum HCO3-, also called bicarbonate. The procedure used to measure HCO3- in the laboratory first converts it to CO2. In the body, 95% of the CO2 is present as HCO3-, so most of what is measured in the laboratory represents HCO3-.
Why is the Test Performed?
The CO2 levels in the blood are influenced by kidney and respiratory (lung) function.
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