Bicarbonate Test - Price, Purpose, Procedure, Results, & More

Table of Content

Introduction to Bicarbonate Test

Bicarbonate is an electrolyte that helps the body maintain normal pH or acid-base balance. This electrolyte helps keep the body’s electrical neutrality at the cellular level. The bicarbonate test is a routine test that measures any severe or underlying medical condition, such as respiratory diseases, metabolic disorders, and liver or kidney issues. 

If you find breathing difficult, consult your physician. They might suggest that you take a bicarbonate test. Get it from Redcliffe Labs. The bicarbonate test price differs from lab to lab. After booking the bicarbonate test from Redcliffe Labs, you can get an affordable price of INR 660. 

Test Details in Brief 

What is a Bicarbonate Test? 

The bicarbonate test is also popularly known as the carbon dioxide test. It helps doctors check your electrolyte levels by measuring bicarbonate in the blood. CO2 is a natural waste produced by your body. A small or excessive amount of CO2 can block your breathing and be a sign of a serious medical issue. 

What is the Purpose of the Bicarbonate Test? 

The main purpose of the bicarbonate test or CO2 test is to check the amount of bicarbonate (HCO3) in the blood. The test can help doctors diagnose abnormal medical conditions like acidosis or alkalosis. 

The bicarbonate test can also diagnose diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, weakness, chronic fatigue, and difficulty breathing. It is recommended that people with high blood pressure or certain lung diseases take the test to check their electrolyte balance. 

What does the Bicarbonate Test Measure? 

The bicarbonate test measures your body's fluid acid-base balance or pH. A healthcare professional may also use it for certain other conditions. 

HCO3 is an electrolyte responsible for maintaining your body’s pH levels. Other electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, also help maintain electrical neutrality at a cellular level. 

The bicarbonate test measures the presence of CO2 in the blood. An abnormal portion of CO2 in the blood can occur because of 90-95% of HCO3. 

Your healthcare professional might measure the bicarbonate level along with sodium, potassium, and chloride to get an accurate test result. 

When Should You Take The Bicarbonate Test? 

The normal range of bicarbonate levels is 22-29 mEq/l. If your reports show a range below this, it's a sign of metabolic acidosis, a medical condition that indicates acid buildup in the body. Many symptoms indicate the need for a bicarbonate test. 

• Rapid breathing 
• Hyperventilation 
• Confusion 
• Difficulty in concentration 
• Abnormal heart rhythms 
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Abdominal pain 
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite 
• Severe headache 
• Extreme tiredness 
• Weakness 
• Feeling sick

Preparation for the Bicarbonate Test

The bicarbonate test is a blood test. A blood test needs no special preparations. However, for accurate test results, your doctor might recommend certain guidelines. 

1. Before the bicarbonate test, drink plenty of fluids to prevent weakness or dizziness.
2. Avoid carbonated drinks such as energy drinks, caffeine, and hard drinks. They can dehydrate you. 
3. The test needs no dieting, so it is better to consult your doctor if you are following one. 
4. Wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid full-sleeve clothes so your phlebotomist can collect a smooth sample. 
5. Practice yoga and meditation to keep your mind calm. A relaxed mind can help with correct test reports. 
6. Avoid consumption of harmful substances, such as tobacco. 
7. The test can raise several questions, so better clear your mind by clearing your queries with your doctor. 

The Procedure of the Bicarbonate Test 

Our phlebotomist will visit your home for a sample collection. A lab technician needs your blood for testing and analyzing bicarbonate levels in the blood. Our phlebotomists follow a smooth testing procedure. Here is detailed information about the procedure they follow. 

1. They will ask you to sit and make yourself comfortable. 
2. If you wear a long-sleeved shirt, they will ask you to roll the sleeve for the sample collection. 
3. In the beginning, they will monitor your hand with their eyes to find an appropriate location for blood collection. 
4. Next, they will ask you to make a fist and apply an adhesive tape to locate the correct vein. 
5. Once located, they will clean the site with an alcoholic substance. 
6. They will insert a sterile syringe in an appropriate vein to collect blood. 
7. They transfer the collected blood into a test tube or container to the lab for testing. 
8. Next, they will label the container with your details, such as name, place, and time of collection. 
9. They will put a cotton ball on the punctured site to prevent bleeding. 
10. The bleeding will stop in a minute. 

The collection process takes a few minutes, and you will receive your test reports within 24 hours. 

Risks Associated with the Bicarbonate Test 

Our DMLT phlebotomist conducts a smooth sample collection with no or minor risk. However, the bicarbonate blood test can cause slight pain, bleeding, weakness, dizziness, dehydration, bruises, hematoma, and several punctured sites. 

These signs disappear in a couple of minutes. If they last, consult a doctor and take preventive measures. 

Understanding the Bicarbonate Test Results 

The bicarbonate test checks the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood. A bicarbonate test result can be normal, low, and high. The normal range of bicarbonate levels is 23-29 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). However, the bicarbonate test results can be hindered because of some factors, which include: 

• Lab
• Equipment 
• Age 
• Gender 
• Health history 
• Medical history 
• Certain underlying medical conditions

Here are age-wise normal bicarbonate levels in the blood. 

What do High Bicarbonate Levels Mean? 

A high bicarbonate means that the body finds it difficult to remove the CO2 levels from the blood. Doctors term this situation as ‘hypercapnia’. A high level indicates medical conditions, such as: 

1. Hormonal disorders
2. Kidney disorders 
3. Lung diseases 
4. Cushing’s syndrome 
5. Respiratory issues 
6. Metabolic alkalosis 
7. Dehydration 
8. Vomiting or nausea 

What Do Low Bicarbonate Levels Mean? 

Low bicarbonate levels mean that the body is removing too much CO2. The following factors can cause a low level of bicarbonate level: 

• Kidney disorder 
• Shock
• Type 2 diabetes 
• Ketoacidosis 
• Metabolic acidosis 
• Addison's disease 
• Chronic diarrhea 
• Ethylene glycol poisoning 

How Frequently Should You Take The Bicarbonate Test? 

Bicarbonate tests help your doctor understand your current and pre-existing medical condition. You should take the test if you see any medical condition. However, taking the bicarbonate test once a year can help you stay updated about your health. 

Your doctor can recommend the bicarbonate test if you take certain medications or have any medical condition, such as renal disorder. The bicarbonate test is not mandatory for people who are healthy and have no medical condition. Nonetheless, there is no harm in taking care of your health. 

What Other Tests Can Your Doctor Recommend? 

The bicarbonate test is enough to measure the carbon dioxide content in your blood. Your doctor can recommend certain tests even if the test reports are normal. These are: 

1. Potassium test 
2. Calcium test 
3. Sodium test 
4. Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) 
5. Basic metabolic panel (BMP) 
6. Electrolytes and Anion Gap 

Bicarbonate Test Cost @ Redcliffe Labs 

Redcliffe Labs believes in making quality diagnostic tests affordable for everyone. The actual bicarbonate test price is INR 1200, which, with our special discount, accounts for INR 660. You can book the test from our website or mobile app. 

Bicarbonate Test Price in Different Cities

Note: We also offer Bicarbonate Test PAN India. Please call the number 8988988787 to check the availability of our services in your area.

Take Care of Your Health By Booking The Bicarbonate Test from Redcliffe Labs! 

Research shows that bicarbonate treatment can help remove metabolic acidosis and restore normal blood bicarbonate levels. By booking the bicarbonate test from Redcliffe Labs, you can take timely preventive measures to prevent severe health conditions, such as respiratory issues. 

The bicarbonate test price at Redcliffe Labs is INR 660 with a home sample collection, making diagnostic affordable and accessible to everyone. We believe that a quality diagnosis is the right of every Indian.