Carbon Dioxide: Results
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Results
A carbon dioxide test measures the total amount of the three forms of carbon dioxide (bicarbonate, carbonic acid, and dissolved carbon dioxide) in your blood. Results are usually available in 1 to 2 days.
Normal
| Adults: | |
|---|---|
| Children: | 20–28 mmol/L |
| Babies: | 13–22 mmol/L |
High values
High values may be caused by:
- Diseases that decrease blood pH (respiratory acidosis), such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and pneumonia.
- Diseases that increase blood pH (metabolic alkalosis), such as Cushing's syndrome, Conn's syndrome, and alcoholism.
- Vomiting.
Low values
Low values may be caused by:
- Problems that increase blood pH (respiratory alkalosis), such as pneumonia, cirrhosis, liver failure, or hyperventilation.
- Problems that decrease blood pH (metabolic acidosis), such as uncontrolled diabetes, kidney or heart failure, aspirin overdose, shock, frequent diarrhea, dehydration, long-term (chronic) starvation, and swallowing antifreeze (ethylene glycol) or wood alcohol (methanol).
| Last updated: | May 09, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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