Bicarbonate (CO2 content), serum
Clinical Background:
Bicarbonate levels are almost always done with other electrolytes to tell whether sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels are in balance. They may be measured as part of routine blood t...
Bicarbonate levels are almost always done with other electrolytes to tell whether sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels are in balance. They may be measured as part of routine blood testing, or when an imbalance is suspected. Bicarbonate may also be measured when evaluating acid-base balance, to screen for an imbalance, and to monitor a known problem during treatment.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Specimen Container Adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1 mL blood
1 mL blood
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
0.5 mL blood
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Special Requirement:
Sample should reach the laboratory ASAP
Sample should reach the laboratory ASAP
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Sample Stability:
Unseparated capped samples: 16 hours
Separated capped samples:
- at 15-25C: 24 hours
- at 4-8C: 24 hours
Unseparated capped samples: 16 hours
Separated capped samples:
- at 15-25C: 24 hours
- at 4-8C: 24 hours
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Add On Test:
Not possible
Not possible
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Reference Ranges:
Up to 17 years: 19 – 28 mmol/L
>17 years: 22 – 29 mmol/LUp to 17 years: 19 – 28 mmol/L
>17 years: 22 – 29 mmol/L -
Other Info:
Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable
Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719
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Routine Email: