Bicarbonate: Results
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Results
A bicarbonate (HCO3) test measures the level of bicarbonate in the blood.
Normal values may vary from lab to lab. Results are usually available right away.
| Normal: |
|---|
High values
High HCO3 levels may be caused by:
- Vomiting, dehydration, blood transfusions, and overuse of medicines that contain bicarbonate (especially antacids).
- Conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), heart disease, Cushing's disease, and Conn's syndrome.
- Medicines, such as water pills (diuretics) and corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone and prednisone.
Low values
Low HCO3 levels may be caused by:
- Hyperventilation, aspirin or alcohol overdose, diarrhea, dehydration, severe malnutrition, severe burns, and shock.
- Liver or kidney disease, a massive heart attack, hyperthyroidism, or uncontrolled diabetes.
- Certain medicines, such as medicine used to treat glaucoma and some antibiotics.
| Last updated: | June 17, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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