Low CO2

Good morning. I'm still concerned that I have liver disease. I'm waiting to take the Fibroscan or Fibrosure for my 18 month alcohol free life, however, I am getting my labs done about every 45 days to monitor my blood levels. My CO2 is low at 17 and I'm wondering if a LOW level is part of the big picture in liver disease?

[AyrshireK]

Best to leave interpretation of blood test results to doctors. A quick bit of googling says low CO2 might be associated with kidneys and other things rather than liver.

[Hidden in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

In routine labs, the Co2 test is actually a bicarbonate level. Co2 blood gasses can only be measured in a hospital pulmonology lab immediately after drawing the blood.

The bicarbonate level is very dynamic and can change rapidly, so I wouldn't read too much into an isolated anomaly, but definitely something to ask your doc about. Hyperventilation shortly before the test can skew readings lower as can excess fluid intake and electrolyte imbalances. Use of diuretics and potassium deficiency are also associated with bicarbonate imbalances.

Haven't seen this associated with liver disease, but "any disease or condition that affects the lungs, kidneys, metabolism, or breathing has the potential to cause an abnormal bicarbonate level".

If your Co2 has been normal in other recent labs, this was probably just an anomaly, but always wise to go over abnormal results with your doc.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I'll get it checked out if the low level continues.