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low carbon dioxide level

blood work came back with low carbon dioxide level of 16, 1st time out of normal range.  BUN was a little high 30, been this way a while,all other kidney functions fine creatinine level 1.17 gfr 65. I am a 64 year old male with controlled  Diabetes a1c 5.4,  walk 4 miles everyday weight under control. rest of electrolyte panel in normal range.  should I BE worried about low carbon dioxide level? ( breathing lungs fine )
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Avatar universal
When doctors see one thing out of wack they normally ignore it because it could be caused by many things like: diet, lack of water, or even someone at the lab making a mistake. Doctors only get worried if in follow up checks the result keeps showing up and getting worse. Or if other things get worse as well.

You should repeat the test in a month or so.
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973741 tn?1342342773
I think with kidney function, low Co2 indicates an underlying issue.  One thing this can indicate is metabolic acidosis (build up of acid). Your doctor should discuss that with you. Is your kidney disease progressing? That would be my main question. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/metabolic-acidosis  This really goes through a full scope of what could be wrong.  https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/bicarbonate-blood-test-overview  Have you spoken to your doctor yet
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4 Comments
thanks for your Answer, my doctor did not seemed concerned because all other blood and urine test were in normal  range besides bun which was 30. did go to your sites you mentioned, plus more. really do not no what to think. Well thanks again for your Answer.
I would schedule a follow up with your doctor.  Even if it is by phone.  Is this possible?
thanks again for comments , talk to doc. again he said no worries according to rest of blood work, he would be more concerned Co2 level was high. I guess I will just have to live with that.
Ya, I think they WOULD alert you if there was a concern even if we, non medical people, don't fully understand why.
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