Bicarbonate - plasma or serum
Last updated: Thursday, 08, April, 2004
MBS Online Search Page: Click here for details
| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in lithium heparin or plain tube. |
| Method | Spectrophotometry (measures total CO2); derived parameter in blood gas analysis. |
| Reference Interval | 22-32 mmol/L. |
| Application | Acid-base disorders; particularly as initial investigation of metabolic abnormalities and in defining renal tubular acidosis. |
| Interpretation | Serum bicarbonate is increased in metabolic alkalosis and in compensated respiratory acidosis. Levels are decreased in metabolic acidosis. An artefactual decrease occurs if the collection tube is only partly filled, or left uncapped, due to loss of CO2. The terms 'bicarbonate' and 'total carbon dioxide' are often used interchangeably. Although 'bicarbonate' is 1-2 mmol/L lower than total carbon dioxide this difference is not clinically significant. |
| Reference |