Laboratory Test Reference Guide

Laboratory Information

Test Name

Bicarbonate

External Price (excl. GST)

11.67

Specimen Collection

Adult Specimen

2 mL blood- Heparin preferred or Plain tube.

Specimen Collection and Transport Protocols

IF FROZEN I GIVE TO BIOCHEM IMMEDATELY. DONE ON THE COBAS

Test Information

Department

Biochemistry

Test Availability

Mon - Sun, 24hrs

Laboratory Turnaround Time

3 hrs

Method

Cobas Pro. Rural Waikato Labs: Taumarunui, Te Kuiti and Tokoroa: ABL90 blood gas analyser.

Unit of measurement

mmol/L

Reference interval

22 - 29 mmol/L

Uncertainty of measurement

10%

Diagnostic Use Or Instructions

Bicarbonate is the 2nd most abundant anion in the ECF. Total CO2 comprises the bicarbonate ion (HC03¯), carbonic acid (H2Co3), and dissolved CO2, with bicarbonate accounting for more than 90% of the total CO2 at physiological pH.

Bicarbonate is the major component of the buffering system in the blood. Together with pH determination, bicarbonate measurements are used to assess acid-base balance within a patient.

Minimum Volume

Plasma or serum, separated ASAP and sent aliquot with minimal headspace or primary tube.

Electronic Information

Registration Code

BIC

HL7 mapping code

$BIC

LOINC Code

1963-8