Carboxyhemoglobin & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is carboxyhemoglobin?

CO (carbon monoxide) is a substance that can combine with Hb (hemoglobin) 200 times more easily than oxygen (02). Therefore, this substance reduces the amount of hemoglobin when combined with O2. In addition, while CO binds to Hb, there is a structural change in Hb, making oxygen bind to Hb, causing problems. This makes the blood unable to supply O2 to the tissues and causes the body to lack oxygen. Patients can be poisoned by CO due to inhalation of smoke from fires. Other sources that produce CO include tobacco smoke, gasoline and natural gas fuel fumes, car exhausts, gas fireplaces, unventilated combustion, and damaged gas stoves. To treat CO poisoning, doctors give patients a high dose of O2 to reduce the amount of COHb.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before taking carboxyhemoglobin?

This test is performed to measure COHb in serum (a substance formed by carbon monoxide (CO) and hemoglobin (Hb) when combined with each other). Doctors perform this test to diagnose CO poisoning. Doctors perform special CO tests on patients who experience headaches, discomfort, nausea, vomiting and dizziness when inhaling CO.

Process

What should I do before taking carboxyhemoglobin?

The doctor will take a blood sample as soon as possible because the CO will easily separate from the Hb after breathing normal air. Testing and measurement of blood oxygen saturation (O2) (arterial blood gas test) are generally insignificant in determining dissolved oxygen in serum in cases of CO poisoning patients. Before practicing this medical technique, you must understand the warnings and precautions. If you have any questions, please consult your doctor for more information.

How is the carboxyhemoglobin process?

The medical personnel in charge of drawing your blood will take the following steps:

• wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop blood flow. This makes the blood vessel under the bundle enlarge making it easier to insert the needle into the vessel
• clean the area to be injected with alcohol
• inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be required.
• Insert the tube into the syringe to fill it with blood
• untie the knot from your arm when enough blood is drawn
• sticking gauze or cotton on the injection site, after the injection is complete
• apply pressure to the area and then put a bandage on

What should I do after taking carboxyhemoglobin?

• You should bandage and squeeze the injection site to stop the bleeding
• You will be asked to consume high doses of O2
• You have to breathe to remove CO from Hb
• Discuss any questions you have about your medical test results with your doctor.

Explanation of the Test Results

What do my test results mean?

Normal result

CO saturation results in hemoglobin:

Non-smokers: <3%

Smoker: ≤12%

Infants: ≥0.12%

Abnormal results : prove you are CO poisoning

Warning rate:> 20%

Depending on the laboratory of your choice, the normal range of this test may vary. Discuss any questions you have about your medical test results with your doctor.