Sample type: Serum

Test name: Bicarbonate

Condition / Indication: Acid / Base

Special precautions & notes: This is serum bicarbonate analysis performed in the laboratory. As it is unstable once samples are exposed to the air, it is not appropriate to add-on to samples already in the laboratory. It is also obtainable as a derived parameter on blood gas analysers.

Reference range: 22 - 29 mmol/L

Container: Serum (Gold top)

Ideal volume (mL): 5 mL

Referred outside NBT for analysis? No

Discipline: Clinical Biochemistry

Section: Automated Laboratory

Turnaround time: Hospital patients 4 hours; GP patients 24 hours