Bicarbonate Test - Serum in Kandivali

Unexplained weakness and fatigue, prolonged nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and even difficulty breathing may be signs of an acid base imbalance.

This test may be ordered for a routine health check-up or part of an electrolyte panel to diagnose any underlying conditions. Typically, an electrolyte panel consists of other tests like sodium, chloride, and potassium. The most important reason why an electrolyte panel may be ordered is to check for an acid-base imbalance in the body. And this may happen if there are kidney diseases, liver disease, lung disorders and sometimes even with unchecked high blood pressure levels.

The body needs to maintain a healthy acid-base or a healthy pH. A healthy ph is achieved primarily by the function of kidneys and lungs. Sometime the pH imbalance is a respiratory problem due to the amount of oxygen coming in and Co2 going out. Sometimes the reason is metabolic because the kidney is unbale to remove acid from the body.

Bicarbonate is an electrolyte, a negatively charged ion that is used by the body to help maintain the body's acid-base (pH) balance. It also works with the other electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride) to maintain electrical neutrality at the cellular level. This test measures the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, which occurs mostly in the form of bicarbonate (HCO3-). The CO2 is mainly a by-product of various metabolic processes.