Bicarbonate
Private Bicarbonate blood test in London for £60, measuring one acid-base marker with results in around 1 business day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Bicarbonate
The Bicarbonate blood test measures bicarbonate, commonly represented as HCO₃⁻, one of the body's principal chemical buffers.
Bicarbonate helps maintain blood pH within a tightly controlled range by buffering acids produced during normal metabolism.
The lungs and kidneys work together to regulate acid-base balance. The lungs control carbon dioxide while the kidneys retain or excrete bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Bicarbonate.
A reduced bicarbonate concentration can occur with metabolic acidosis, including situations where acids accumulate or bicarbonate is lost.
Examples include selected kidney disorders, severe diarrhoea, diabetic ketoacidosis and other metabolic disturbances.
Higher bicarbonate can occur with metabolic alkalosis or as physiological compensation for some chronic respiratory disorders.
Examples include prolonged vomiting and selected medication effects.
Bicarbonate is often interpreted alongside sodium, potassium, chloride, kidney function and, where clinically required, blood-gas measurements.
What Does the Bicarbonate Test Check?
This test measures 1 biomarker.
Bicarbonate
Measures bicarbonate in the blood, a major buffer involved in maintaining acid-base balance. Abnormal concentrations can occur with metabolic, renal, gastrointestinal and respiratory disturbances.
Who May Benefit From the Bicarbonate Test?
This test may be suitable where acid-base imbalance, kidney disease or an electrolyte disturbance is being investigated.
People with known kidney disease - The kidneys have an important role in bicarbonate regulation.
People with persistent diarrhoea - Gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss can lower blood levels.
People with prolonged vomiting - Loss of gastric acid can contribute to metabolic alkalosis and raised bicarbonate.
People with suspected metabolic acidosis - Low bicarbonate may provide supporting biochemical information.
People with suspected metabolic alkalosis - Increased bicarbonate may contribute to the laboratory pattern.
People taking diuretics or selected medications - Some medicines can influence electrolyte and acid-base balance.
People with chronic respiratory disease - The kidneys can alter bicarbonate as compensation for chronic carbon dioxide changes.
People with a previous abnormal electrolyte result - Repeat measurement may help determine whether the abnormality persists.
How to Prepare
Do not change prescribed medication or take bicarbonate supplements specifically to alter the laboratory result.
Bicarbonate is generally most useful when interpreted as part of a wider electrolyte and kidney assessment.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Bicarbonate Test
Acid-base disorders can produce non-specific symptoms and are usually assessed using a combination of laboratory findings.
Persistent weakness or fatigue - Metabolic abnormalities can contribute to reduced energy.
Rapid or unusually deep breathing - Respiratory compensation can occur during metabolic acidosis.
Persistent vomiting - Ongoing gastric acid loss can disturb acid-base balance.
Persistent diarrhoea - Significant gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss can reduce bicarbonate levels.
Confusion - Severe metabolic disturbances can affect neurological function.
Muscle cramps or weakness - Acid-base disturbances often coexist with electrolyte abnormalities.
Abnormal kidney-function results - Bicarbonate is frequently interpreted during renal assessment.
Previously abnormal electrolytes - Repeat testing can help clarify the pattern.
A bicarbonate result alone cannot establish the cause of an acid-base disorder.
Severe breathing abnormalities, marked confusion, collapse, uncontrolled diabetes with significant illness or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
How to Book Your Bicarbonate Test
Booking your Bicarbonate test with London Blood Tests is simple.
Choose the Bicarbonate
Select the Bicarbonate test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose clinic (+£35) or home or hotel phlebotomy (+£60).
Attend your appointment
A trained professional collects the venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your sample is analysed for bicarbonate concentration.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised report is delivered securely by email.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The expected turnaround time for the Bicarbonate test is approximately 1 business day after laboratory receipt.
Results may be available sooner depending on laboratory processing.
Understanding Your Results
Low bicarbonate may occur with metabolic acidosis or as compensation for respiratory alkalosis.
Possible causes include kidney disease, severe diarrhoea, diabetic ketoacidosis and other states associated with increased acid production.
Higher bicarbonate may occur with metabolic alkalosis or as compensation for chronic respiratory acidosis.
Possible causes include prolonged vomiting, diuretic use and selected chronic respiratory disorders.
A serum bicarbonate result is usually interpreted with sodium, potassium, chloride and kidney function.
Where a significant acute acid-base disturbance is suspected, blood-gas analysis may be required.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private Bicarbonate testing in London - Access targeted acid-base testing privately.
Targeted individual electrolyte marker - Measure bicarbonate independently.
Relevant to kidney assessment - Renal function is closely linked to bicarbonate regulation.
Useful in metabolic assessment - Can provide supporting information in acidosis and alkalosis.
Fast laboratory turnaround - Results are expected approximately 1 business day after laboratory receipt.
Clinic and home visit options - Flexible professional phlebotomy is available.
Secure results by email - Receive your report securely.
Clear pricing before booking - The Bicarbonate test is priced at £60.
Private Bicarbonate Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides the Bicarbonate blood test in London for people requiring targeted assessment of acid-base balance.
The test costs £60 and measures one biomarker: Bicarbonate.
Results should be interpreted alongside other electrolytes and kidney function where appropriate.