If you’ve received a blood test result that indicates high levels of ECO2, then this indicated that the lungs are not able to remove enough carbon dioxide from the body for some reason. This is one of the leading indicators that COPD [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease] may be present. If someone has been in an environment with high carbon dioxide levels, however, then the ECO2 result may be artificially high.
ECO2 is a measurement of the enzymatic carbonate in the blood. It should not be confused with atmospheric carbon dioxide measurements that utilize the same abbreviation in testing. Results can either be high or low and each is indicative of a possible disease or disorder.
What Are the Causes of High ECO2 Levels?
One of the most common causes of high ECO2 levels in a blood sample is that air contaminated the sample itself. When blood is exposed to the air, even just for a moment, then the gas measurements are not going to be as accurate as they could be. For this reason, a second blood test is usually recommended when high ECO2 levels are present to confirm the results.
If a second blood test is not recommended, then you may wish to receive a second opinion from another testing facility. The normal range is 23-29 mEq/L.
Outside of air contamination, high ECO2 levels can also indicate the presence of a kidney disorder and certain metabolic issues. If the results have been confirmed, then additional testing is usually required to track down the exact problem that is being faced so that an appropriate treatment regiment can be instituted.
What If Your ECO2 Levels Are Higher Than Normal?
There are four primary causes of high ECO2 levels. Recent vomiting is the most common cause of high ECO2 levels. People with asthma may also experience temporarily high levels of ECO2 after they have suffered an attack. Any breathing disorder, however, will naturally lead to higher than normal test results.
Cushing syndrome and hyperaldosteronism are also issues that may cause high ECO2 levels. Individuals who are suffering from dementia or delirium may also have abnormal ECO2 test results.
What If Your ECO2 Levels Are Lower Than Normal?
If you have received a lower than normal result on your ECO2 blood test, then there are several issues that could be occurring. The most common reason for low ECO2 levels is the presence of diarrhea. Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease may have persistently low ECO2 levels because of this issue. An overdose of aspirin may also cause temporarily low ECO2 levels.
These additional factors may also be contributing to the blood test results that have been reported.
- Addison disease
- Lactic acidosis
- Ketoacidosis
- Methanol poisoning
- Ethylene glycol poisoning
It is also possible for medications to affect your body’s bicarbonate levels and this may change the ECO2 results. If you have received an abnormal ECO2 blood test result, then make sure to schedule a follow-up appointment with you doctor or treatment team to discuss available options.
Many Medications Can Change Test Results
Although it may seem like a good idea to stop taking medications before having the blood test or to fast for a certain time before the test, but only do this if you are advised to do so by your attending doctor. Health care providers will tell you how long to stop taking a medication before a test, making sure that there is no need to guess.
During the test itself, it is common to feel a pain or sting when the needle is inserted into the vein. Having a small amount of blood come out of the needle area during the test will not affect ECO2 results. Only if air is allowed to enter into the sample tube will the test results be compromised. It is also common to feel a slight level of pain after the blood is drawn.
Higher than normal and lower than normal test results are typically caused by common, temporary lifestyle issues that have occurred. If the ECO2 test is abnormal without any symptoms being experienced, you may wish to pursue further examination if you do not regularly suffer from the common health issues that can raise or lower bicarbonate levels.
Use the information here to interpret the results of your own ECO2 blood test or share it with those who have recently received their results and don’t know what it means. Most of the time, the ECO2 level changes are temporary, but because it may indicate the presence of a serious health condition, every abnormal result should be taken seriously.