/WHAT_IT_IS
CO2 (mostly bicarbonate) reflects acid-base status. Useful for detecting metabolic acidosis or alkalosis.
/NORMAL_RANGE
Reference: 23–29 mEq/L.
What does high CO2 mean?
- +Metabolic alkalosis, COPD.
What does low CO2 mean?
- +Metabolic acidosis, hyperventilation.
/ON_TRT
Not affected by TRT.
/RELATED
FAQ
/01What does CO2 mean on a metabolic panel?+
On a metabolic panel, CO2 mostly measures bicarbonate, the buffer your body uses to keep blood from becoming too acidic or too alkaline. It's a marker of acid-base balance, not a measure of the carbon dioxide in your lungs or breath. The label can be confusing, but this test reflects your metabolic status rather than your breathing.
/02What is a normal CO2 (bicarbonate) level?+
The typical reference range is about 23 to 29 mmol/L (reported as mEq/L on many US panels, the same number). A high value can point to metabolic alkalosis or chronic lung conditions, while a low value can reflect metabolic acidosis or hyperventilation. Read your number against the range on your report and interpret it with your physician.
/03Is the CO2 on my blood test the same as CO2 in my breath?+
No. The CO2 on a standard metabolic panel is a blood measurement dominated by bicarbonate and used to assess acid-base balance. The carbon dioxide you exhale is measured differently, either on an arterial blood gas or by capnography, and reflects lung function and breathing. They're related in the body's overall chemistry but are separate tests answering different questions.
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