What do the results mean?
Abnormal results may indicate that your body has an electrolyte imbalance, or that there is a problem removing carbon dioxide through your lungs. Too much CO2 in the blood can indicate a variety of conditions including:
Lung diseases
Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder of the adrenal glands. Your adrenal glands are located above your kidneys. They help control heart rate, blood pressure, and other body functions. In Cushing’s syndrome, these glands make too much of a hormone called cortisol. It causes a variety of symptoms, including muscle weakness, vision problems, and high blood pressure.
Hormonal disorders
Kidney disorders
Alkalosis, a condition in which you have too much base in your blood
Too little CO2 in the blood may indicate:
Addison's disease, another disorder of the adrenal glands. In Addison's disease, the glands don't produce enough of certain types of hormones, including cortisol. The condition can cause a variety of symptoms, including weakness, dizziness, weight loss, and dehydration.
Acidosis, a condition in which you have too much acid in your blood
Ketoacidosis, a complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Shock
Kidney disorders
If your test results are not in the normal range, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a medical condition requiring treatment. Other factors, including certain medicines, can affect the level of CO2 in your blood. To learn what your results mean, talk to your health care provider.Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
