Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Bicarbonate
Bicarbonate
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
| Test | Bicarbonate |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | SBIC, Bicarb, HCO3- |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | Investigation and monitoring of acid-base status, for example in patients with renal failure, lung diseases, diabetic ketoacidosis and hyper or hypokalaemia. Raised serum bicarbonate levels may be seen in compensated respiratory acidosis and metabolic alkalosis. Low serum levels may be seen in compensated respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis. Additional laboratory determinations will permit differentiation between metabolic and respiratory conditions. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | Sample tubes should be as full as possible and fully sealed to minimise exposure to gasses in air |
| Stability | Several hours at 2-8°C |
| Turnaround Time | Urgent: 2 hours Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | 22-29 mmol/L (Recommended by Pathology Harmonisation Reference Group) |
| Limitations | Haemolysis or prolonged exposure to air may falsely increase bicarbonate values. Results obtained using the laboratory method may be slightly higher than those measured using blood gas analysers, due to cross reactivity with other carbon compounds. |
| Notes |
