Test Name: Bicarbonate, Blood
Specimen Type: Serum
Specimen Required: 3-5 Cc Yellow Top Gel Vial
Day Performed: Daily
Reporting Time: 8 Hours STAT Reporting Time: 120 MINUTES
Methodology: Beckman Coulter AU480
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Lower-than-normal levels:
- Addison disease
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (used to treat glaucoma)
- Diarrhea
- Ethylene glycol poisoning
- Ketoacidosis
- Kidney disease
- Lactic acidosis
- Metabolic acidosis
- Methanol poisoning
- Renal tubular acidosis — distal
- Renal tubular acidosis — proximal
- Respiratory alkalosis (compensated)
- Salicylate toxicity (such as aspirin overdose)
- Ureteral diversion
Higher-than-normal levels:
- Bartter syndrome
- Burns
- Congestive heart failure
- Cushing syndrome
- Dehydration
- Excessive sweating
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Respiratory acidosis (compensated)
- Syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
- Vomiting
Delirium may also alter bicarbonate levels.
References:
- Bansal A. Respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, and mixed acid-base disorders. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024: chap 15.
- Seifter JL. Acid-base disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020: chap 110.