Blood Test Information

Blood Gases
(a.k.a ABG)

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Test Code: GAS

Tube type: Blank

Special instructions
Capped hepinarised syringe (please mix well and analyse within 10 minutes of sampling) or capillary for Paeds.

Reference ranges
pH: 7.35 - 7.45
pCO2: Male: 4.7 - 6.4, Female: 4.3 - 6 kPa
pO2: Arterial: <40 years old: 11.1 - 14.4, >40 years old: 9.6 - 13.7 kPa.
Venous: 5.0 - 5.8 kPa

Base Excess: -0.7 - 5.8 mmol/L
HCO3-: Male: 22.2 - 28.3, Female: 21.2 - 27 mmol/L

Sodium: 133 - 146 mmol/L
Potassium: 3.4 - 4.4 mmol/L
Chloride: 95 - 108 mmol/L
Calcium (ionised): 1.15 - 1.33 mmol/L

Glucose: 4.0 - 6.0 mmol/L
Lactate: <1.9 mmol/l

Total Hb (ctHb): Male: 135 - 175, Female: 120 - 160 g/L
O2 saturation (sO2): 94 - 98 %
Oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb): 90 - 95 %
Carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb): 0.5 - 1.5 %
Met Hb: 0 - 1.5 %

Turnaround Time
1 hour

Department: Biochemistry

Clinical Application
Please note that the ranges quoted above refer to samples analysed on, and are specific to, the Radiometer ABL90 Flex Plus analysers located within the Trust only.

Webpage updated: July 2026.