Unit Converter
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

SI UNITS (recommended)

CONVENTIONAL UNITS

Synonym

Hydrogen carbonate, Total CO2; TCO2; Carbon Dioxide Content; CO2 Content; Bicarb; HCO3-

Units of measurement

µmol/L, mmol/L, mg/L, mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg%, µg/mL, mEq/L

Bicarbonate is the second largest fraction of the anions in plasma. Included in this fraction are the bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbonate (CO32- ) ions, as well as the carbamino compounds. At the physiological pH of blood, the concentration of carbonate is 1/1000 that of bicarbonate. The carbamino compounds are also present in such low quantities that they are generally not mentioned specifically. Several different methods for the determination of bicarbonate in serum and plasma have been reported. Most of these procedures utilize acidification of the sample and conversion of all carbon dioxide forms to CO2 gas. The amount of gas formed is measured by manometric or volumetric devices, ion selective electrodes, or spectrophotometric techniques. These methods are either cumbersome, time‑consuming, technique‑oriented, and/or require special equipment. Enzymatic procedures using phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) have been described. The bicarbonate content of serum or plasma is a significant indicator of electrolyte dispersion and anion deficit. Together with pH determination, bicarbonate measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous potentially serious disorders associated with acid‑base imbalance in the respiratory and metabolic systems

SI units Conversion Calculator. Convert Bicarbonate (HCO3-) level to µmol/L, mmol/L, mg/L, mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg%, µg/mL, mEq/L. Clinical laboratory units online conversion from conventional or traditional units to Si units. Table of conversion factors for Bicarbonate (HCO3-) unit conversion to µmol/L, mmol/L, mg/L, mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg%, µg/mL, mEq/L.

Last updated: February 15, 2025

Created by: Dr. Rajesh Moganti

Reviewed by : Medical Review Board

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