TEST DIRECTORY | MIDx Labs

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)

Electrolyte that reflects acid-base/bicarbonate status.

LIS TEST CODE: CO2

CPT CODE: 82374

ALIASES: CO2, HCO3, Bicarbonate

METHODOLOGY: PEP Carboxylase

SPECIMEN:

- Type: Serum

- Container: Gold Top (SST) Vacutainer

- Minimum Volume Required: 1 mL

- Storage/Handling: Allow 30 minutes for blood to clot, then centrifuge specimen at 3500 RPM for 10 minutes. Maintain specimen at either room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer until testing can be performed.

NOTE: If freezing is required to preserve stability, transfer serum into a separate plastic screw-cap transport container.

- Stability: Room Temperature (20-25 °C): 2 hours

Refrigerated (2-8 °C): 3 days

Frozen (-20 °C or colder): 2 weeks; avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

- Turnaround Time: 24 hours from receipt.

Special Instructions: N/A

REJECTION REASONS: QNS, Gross Hemolysis, Gross Lipemia, Contamination, Stability Violation, Expired Container, Incorrect Container

REFERENCE RANGES:

Males (mmol/L)

1 - 3 years of age: 17 - 26

4 -5 years of age: 19 - 27

6 -7 years of age: 20 - 28

8 - 17 years of age: 21 - 29

>= 18 years of age: 22 - 29

Females (mmol/L)

1 - 3 years of age: 18 - 25

4 -5 years of age: 19 - 26

6 -7 years of age: 20 - 27

8 - 9 years of age: 21 - 28

>= 10 years of age: 22 - 29

Panic Threshold(s): <= 10 mmol/L; >= 40 mmol/L for Males & Females >= 1 year of age.