Question 1

had routine blood work done. all came back normal except my co2 level was a 20. i'm a very anxious person. does this indicate anything?

Accepted Answer

No: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, there is nothing to be concerned about the value you reported.
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Question 2

co2 level was 16 (low). all other blood work was normal. what could cause this? concern? do i need to ask for labs to be repeated?  thank you

Accepted Answer

No: All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Having said that, low CO2 is likely due to you hyperventilating at the time of blood collection. There is no need to repeat the test.

Question 3

is a co2 blood test result of 31 something to worry about. all other blood tests normal?

Accepted Answer

: Depends on what else is going on.  High blood pressure, low potassium, or what.

Question 4

my co2 blood level was 22 on my cmp. is that normal?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Co2 normal range is usually between 21-31, so your level is normal.

Question 5

routine blood and urine labs all normal except co2 of 33 (reference range 21-32). any reason to be concerned with this one "abnormal" result?

Accepted Answer

Alkalosis: CO2 goes up in the blood if you are dehydrated and have vomited, have severe lung disease such as emphysema, have low potassium, are on diuretics or antacids or are leaking acid into the urine due to various hormonal problems.  The slight increase in your CO2 is insignificant and I do not think it is any thing to worry about.

Question 6

can wearing a mask really cause elevated blood co2 level? my bicarbonate level is 33 (my normal jas been 25). a little back pain and shortness of breath, but everything else is normal?

Accepted Answer

: Elevated bicarb level doesn't mean blood CO2 level is higher:  they don't test the same thing. Making is very unlikely to raise blood CO2, except maybe in rare cases in persons who already have advanced cardiopulmonary disease whose blood CO2 already is high. Check with your doctor if you have such a problem, e.g. advanced COPD. Otherwise no worry about masking.

Question 7

been going to the doc for back,musc twitching, and nausea. had blood panel done. flags in 3 areas. anion gap 6(l), co2 30(h), and creatinine 1.44(h). doc says tests show normal/stable kidney funct and electrolytes. how should i interpret the flags?

Accepted Answer

: Unless you have history of chronic kidney disease, creatinine of 1.44 is not stable or normal kidney function. If you have had vomit, other than just nausea, the results are consistent with metabolic alkalosis (due to vomit) and mild acute kidney injury with volume loss. If you did not vomit but taking certain meds, your meds could be the culprit. Yes, those flagged results need to be explained.

Question 8

i just got my blood test results back after having weakness, crazy fatigue and chest pain since covid in july. had a ct done of lungs and brain was normal, my blood tests are all normal except my co2 was 21 and my creatinine was .58. should i worry?

Accepted Answer

: No need to worry. All laboratory results need to be interpreted in the clinical context and the doctor who ordered the tests is usually in the best position to do that. Talk to the doctor who ordered the tests. Having said that, your results are not a cause for concern.    Wish you good health!

Question 9

blood test 2 months post-covid shows high chloride (108mmol/l), high co2 total (32mmol/l) and low anion gap (3mmol/l). cbc, glucose, na, creatinine, etc all normal. sporadic sinus tachycardia. waiting on ecg/echo results. further testing recommended?

Accepted Answer

: Wait for the echo results. If you are otherwise symptom free, there appears to be no major issues

Question 10

can you tell me how is co2 mostly carried in the blood?

Accepted Answer

Lets review your que: Red blood cells carry de-oxygenated blood (loaded with co2) into the lungs. In the lungs CO2 is displaced with O2, and is removed during exhalation

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Doctor answers about:

Blood co2 norms

A member asked:

Had routine blood work done. all came back normal except my co2 level was a 20. i'm a very anxious person. does this indicate anything?

A member asked:

Co2 level was 16 (low). all other blood work was normal. what could cause this? concern? do i need to ask for labs to be repeated? thank you

A member asked:

Is a co2 blood test result of 31 something to worry about. all other blood tests normal?

A member asked:

My co2 blood level was 22 on my cmp. is that normal?

A member asked:

Routine blood and urine labs all normal except co2 of 33 (reference range 21-32). any reason to be concerned with this one "abnormal" result?

A member asked:

Can wearing a mask really cause elevated blood co2 level? my bicarbonate level is 33 (my normal jas been 25). a little back pain and shortness of breath, but everything else is normal?

A member asked:

Been going to the doc for back,musc twitching, and nausea. had blood panel done. flags in 3 areas. anion gap 6(l), co2 30(h), and creatinine 1.44(h). doc says tests show normal/stable kidney funct and electrolytes. how should i interpret the flags?

A member asked:

I just got my blood test results back after having weakness, crazy fatigue and chest pain since covid in july. had a ct done of lungs and brain was normal, my blood tests are all normal except my co2 was 21 and my creatinine was .58. should i worry?

A member asked:

Blood test 2 months post-covid shows high chloride (108mmol/l), high co2 total (32mmol/l) and low anion gap (3mmol/l). cbc, glucose, na, creatinine, etc all normal. sporadic sinus tachycardia. waiting on ecg/echo results. further testing recommended?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how is co2 mostly carried in the blood?

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