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Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) blood test: what your result means
Bicarbonate reflects the metabolic part of acid-base balance in blood. It helps buffer body pH.
- Standard unit
- mmol/L
- Reported in
- mmol/L, mEq/L, µmol/L, mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg% and more
What does high bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) mean?
Higher values may suggest metabolic alkalosis patterns or compensation. What counts as high depends on the reference range printed on your lab report, because ranges differ between laboratories.
What does low bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) mean?
Lower values may suggest metabolic acidosis patterns. What counts as low depends on the reference range printed on your lab report, because ranges differ between laboratories.
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) units and conversion
Mediki shows bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) in mmol/L. Labs may report it in other units; Mediki converts them automatically so results from different labs line up on one chart.
mEq/L is numerically the same as mmol/L, so no conversion is needed.
| Unit on your report | Convert to mmol/L | Convert back |
|---|---|---|
| µmol/L | 1 µmol/L = 0.001 mmol/L | 1 mmol/L = 1,000 µmol/L |
| mg/dL, mg/100mL, mg% | 1 mg/dL = 0.1639 mmol/L | 1 mmol/L = 6.102 mg/dL |
| mg/L, µg/mL | 1 mg/L = 0.01639 mmol/L | 1 mmol/L = 61.02 mg/L |
Convert a value from your report with the blood test unit converter.
Why track bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) over time?
A single bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) result is a snapshot. Comparing it with your earlier tests shows whether a value is stable, slowly drifting, or responding to a change in treatment or lifestyle, which is often more useful than one number on its own.
Read our guide on how to read blood test results to understand reference ranges, flags and units.
Track your bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) results in one chart
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Medical disclaimer: This page is general information, not medical advice. Reference ranges differ between laboratories, and only a doctor can interpret your results in the context of your health.