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Test Code LAB55 Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Useful For

The diagnosis and treatment of acid-base imbalance in respiratory and metabolic systems

Methodology

Enzymatic (Bicarbonate PEPC)

Performing Laboratory

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Plasma or serum
Container/Tube: Light-green top (lithium heparin gel), red top, or gold top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

  1. Do not uncap tube once specimen is drawn.
  2. Tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

  3. If using tubes without gel, separate from erythrocytes and store tightly capped.

Specimen Rejection: Hemolyzed samples may be rejected.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Plasma or Serum, uncapped Ambient 10 minutes*
Plasma or serum, capped Ambient 40 hours
  Refrigerated 7 days
  Frozen 6 months

*Bicarbonate content in uncapped tubes decreases approximately 4 meq/L after one hour. 

Reference Values

18-27 meq/L

Critical values (automatic call-back): <10 meq/L or >40 meq/L

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82374