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Blood Test Tracker

Venous Blood Gas (VBG)

Venous pH, gases and acid-base values.

5 tests explainedAlso printed as VBG, Blood Gas, Venous, Venous Blood Gases

Check your whole panel

Type the results from your report. Each one is placed on its usual range, with its status in words.

Type the results from your Venous Blood Gas (VBG) report. Each one is placed on its usual range as you type.

  • pH

Nothing you type here leaves your browser. Ranges differ a little between labs, so the range on your own report is the one your result is judged against.

The 5 tests in this panel

What each one measures and the range labs usually print for adults. Ranges differ a little between labs, so the range on your own report is the one your result is judged against.

  • Venous Blood pH

    How acidic or basic your blood is, measured in a sample from a vein. It runs a little lower than the arterial pH.

    Adults
    7.3–7.43 pH

  • Venous pCO2

    The pressure of carbon dioxide dissolved in blood from a vein. It reflects how well your lungs clear CO2 and runs a few mmHg above the arterial value.

    Adults
    38–58 mmHg

  • Bicarbonate (HCO3-), Blood Gas

    The bicarbonate your blood gas analyzer calculates from pH and pCO2. It shows the kidney-controlled side of acid-base balance.

    Adults
    22–26 mmol/L

  • Base Excess (Base Deficit)

    A calculated number showing extra acid or base in your blood, apart from breathing. A negative value is a base deficit.

    Adults
    -2–2 mmol/L

  • Lactate (Lactic Acid)

    A byproduct of making energy that rises when cells are short of oxygen or the body can't clear it. Higher levels can be a sign the body is under strain.

    18+
    0.5–2 mmol/L

Labs can include one more test in this panel that we haven’t written up yet.