What happens if co2 levels are too low

Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can increase or decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood. Be sure to tell your health care provider about any medicines you are taking. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Carbon Dioxide CO2 in Blood. What is a carbon dioxide CO2 blood test?

What is it used for? Why do I need a CO2 in blood test? What happens during a CO2 blood test? Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? Are there any risks to the test? What do the results mean? Your adrenal glands are located above your kidneys. They help control heart rate, blood pressure, and other body functions. Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things.

Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand. There is another completely different test in which carbon dioxide is measured in blood from an artery.

This test is called an arterial blood gas ABG. Having a blood test with a needle carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you may feel a slight sting or pain. Afterward, the site may be sore. The CO2 test is most often done as part of an electrolyte or basic metabolic panel.

Changes in your CO2 level may suggest that you are losing or retaining fluid. This may cause an imbalance in your body's electrolytes. CO2 levels in the blood are affected by kidney and lung function. The kidneys help maintain the normal bicarbonate levels. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. The example above shows the common measurement range of results for these tests.

Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens. Typically, a blood is slightly basic with pH measurement of close to 7. Normal range from 7. A blood pH measurement less than 7.

A substance is more alkaline when its blood pH measurement is greater than 7. A test result of low bicarbonate and low pH less than 7.

Common causes are:. A test result of low bicarbonate and high pH more than 7. A test result of high bicarbonate and low pH less than 7. A test result of high bicarbonate and high pH more than 7. If your doctor finds a CO2 imbalance suggesting acidosis or alkalosis, they will look into the cause of this imbalance and treat it appropriately.

Because the causes vary, treatment could involve a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. If you have chronic health conditions, your blood oxygen level may fall outside of the normal range. This includes people with asthma, heart disease…. A chloride blood test is used to diagnose a variety of health conditions. Chronic respiratory failure is an ongoing condition that develops over time. This condition requires long-term treatment that can include oxygen…. When your body fluids contain too much acid, it's known as acidosis.

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