The tube must be filled with minimum air space above sample (at least 80% full).
Sample stability:
-
4 hours at 15-25 o C
-
7 days at 4-8 o C
-
6months at -20 o C
Units : mmol/L
Reference range:
|
Age |
Bicarbonate |
|
<2 years |
17 - 27 |
|
2 years and older |
22 - 31 |
Uncertainty of Measurement : 10%
Principle: Colorimetric
Reagents: Roche Bicarbonate (CO2-L) kit
Analyser: Cobas c502Bicarbonate is increased in metabolic alkalosis and compensated respiratory acidosis, and decreased in metabolic acidosis and compensated respiratory alkalosis.
The bicarbonate concentration in plasma is subject to loss of CO 2 into the air space in the tube, and metabolism by the red blood cells producing lactic acid. For these reasons, bicarbonate values from blood collected into plain or heparin tubes must be regarded as approximate.
For accurate bicarbonate measurement, blood must be taken anaerobically into a heparin syringe and a blood gas requested. See Acid-base.
Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.
If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.
If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).
Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.
After-hours : contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.
Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402
Dr Cam Kyle: CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052
Dr Weldon Chiu: WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
Dr Campbell Heron: CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe: Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427