COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Can anybody tell me how bad a serum co2 leval of 29 is I have just been told I have emphysemia.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003469.htm
Your doctor will order a CO2 blood test based on your symptoms. Signs of an imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, or a pH imbalance, include:
shortness of breath
other breathing difficulties
nausea
vomiting
These symptoms may point to lung dysfunction involving the exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide. If you are on oxygen therapy, or during certain surgeries, your bloods oxygen and carbon dioxide levels will need to be measured frequently.
The normal range for CO2 is 23 to 29 mEq/L (milliequivalent units per liter of blood).
Blood pH is often measured along with CO2 levels to further determine the cause of your symptoms. Blood pH is a measurement of acidity or alkalinity. Alkalosis is the term used when your bodily fluids are too alkaline. Acidosis, on the other hand, is the term used when your bodily fluids are too acidic.
A measurement of 7.0 is considered neutral, and is halfway between acidic and alkaline on the scale. If your pH measurement is less than 7.0 on the scale, it is considered acidic. A substance is more alkaline as its pH measurement increases.
Low bicarbonate:
A test result of low bicarbonate and low pH (less than 7.4) is a condition called metabolic acidosis.
So 29 is within the normal range for Co2.......I have had a few ABG tests done.
Hope this is the correct info so best to consult your doc.....and welcome to the group..
Peter