Test Entry - Detail

Bicarbonate

General

Clinical Use:

Bicarbonate levels are almost always done along with other electrolytes to assess whether the sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels are in balance. Bicarbonate may also be measured to assess acid-base balance.

Availability:

Samples are tested routinely during the testing laboratory's hours of operation.
This test may be eligible for Rule 3 exemption if indicated.

Aliases/Synonyms:

HCO3,

Code:

BIC

Handling Instructions (to laboratory):

Send sample chilled.

Hyperlink:

Reference Interval:

0 days to <1 week:      17 - 28 mmol/L
1 week to <2 years:     17 - 29 mmol/L
2 years to <10 years:   19 - 30 mmol/L
10 years to <18 years:  20 - 32 mmol/L
18 years to <120 years: 22 - 32 mmol/L

Pregnancy:              18 - 28 mmol/L

PathWest derived reference intervals.

Collection Requirements

Container:

Serum Sep. Tube-SST (GOLD),

Sample Type:

See container

Minimum Collection Volume:

Collection Instructions:

Processing Requirements

Alternate Containers:

Lithium Heparin-PST (GREEN)

Processing Instructions:

Minimum Assay Volume:

100uL

Stability:

12 hours chilled

Transport Instructions (to testing laboratory):

Tested on site.

Testing Locations

Performed at:

Section	Department	Site	Contact Phone
-	Laboratory	Albany Health Campus	9892 2240
-	Laboratory	Armadale Health Service	9391 2030
-	Laboratory	Bentley Health Service	9416 3720
-	Laboratory	Broome Health Campus	9194 2286
-	Laboratory	Bunbury Hospital	9722 1280
-	Laboratory	Busselton Hospital	9753 6260
-	Laboratory	Carnarvon Hospital	9941 0431
-	Laboratory	Collie Hospital	9734 1132
-	Laboratory	Derby Hospital	9193 3371
-	Laboratory	Esperance Health Campus	9079 8139
-	Laboratory	Geraldton Regional Hospital	9956 2254
-	Laboratory	Hedland Health Campus	9174 1504
-	Laboratory	Kalgoorlie Health Campus	9080 5825
-	Laboratory	Karratha Health Campus	9144 7674
-	Laboratory	Katanning Health Service	9821 6334
-	Laboratory	Kununurra Hospital	9166 4245
-	Laboratory	Manjimup Hospital	9772 5137
-	Laboratory	Merredin Health Service	9041 1532
-	Laboratory	Narrogin Hospital	9881 0481
-	Laboratory	Northam Health Service	9690 1657
-	Laboratory	Osborne Park Hospital	9244 2326
-	Laboratory	Rockingham General Hospital	9599 4239
Core	Biochemistry	Fiona Stanley Hospital	6152 8140
Core	Biochemistry	Fremantle Hospital	9431 2382
Core	Biochemistry	King Edward Memorial Hospital	6458 2753
Core	Biochemistry	QEII Medical Centre	6383 4093
Core	Biochemistry	Royal Perth Hospital	9224 1176

Last Updated : 16-02-2026 13:04