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Test Code CO Carbon Monoxide, Blood

Methodology

Spectrophotometry

Performing Laboratory

St. Clair Hospital Laboratory

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 4 hours of draw.

 

1 dark green-top (lithium heparin) tube (5 mL of heparinized whole blood). Do not centrifuge. Invert immediately after draw. Transport specimen at room temperature. Forward promptly.

Note:  Do not uncap tube once specimen is drawn.

Reference Values

Non-smoker:  0.5-1.5% saturation
Smoker, moderate:  4.0-5.0% saturation
Smoker, heavy:  8.0-9.0% saturation
Symptoms develop at 10.0% saturation.
Toxicity develops at 15.0-30.0% saturation.
Lethal at values >50.0% saturation.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday