what does it mean if carbon dioxide is low
Low Carbon Dioxide on Blood Test Results. Doctors check the carbon dioxide level in the blood to see if there is an acid-base imbalance. A bicarbonate test measures the total carbon dioxide level in the blood. A low carbon dioxide blood test result can indicate the presence of Addisonâs disease, kidney disease, or methanol poisoning. slide 1 of 5.
Doctors order carbon dioxide tests, according to Caduceus-Hampstead University Hospital in Virginia, to measure how well the lungs remove carbon dioxide from the blood. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a waste product of metabolism. When respiration increases, carbon dioxide levels drop. Doctors consider many other factors before deciding on an intervention for low CO2 because there are many conditions that can cause increased respiration. (Liquidlibrary/liquidlibrary/Getty Images)