Carbon Monoxide, Blood

Carbon monoxide is the most common of the gaseous poisons. Malfunctioning or poorly ventilated heating appliances and internal combustion engines are frequent causes of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide combines reversibly with hemoglobin in a manner almost identical to oxygen resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas which is toxic to cells in the body. Carbon monoxide comes from car exhausts, gas-burning devices and cigarette smoking. This substance irreversibly binds to haemoglobin in order to produce a product called carboxyhemoglobin. This prevents oxygen from binding to hemoglobin, and eventually starve the brain and other tissues from oxygen which can eventually be fatal. This test measures the amount of carbon monoxide in the blood. This test is typically performed on someone who exhibits symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

This test is performed in following conditions such as:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Sleepiness

Also Known As: Carboxyhemoglobin