What it means
It reflects the metabolic side of acid-base balance, alongside the bicarbonateby-KAR-buh-naytA base in the blood that balances acid; the kidneys control it, and its level is measured on blood gas and chemistry tests.Full entry . A positive value above the normal range means extra base, as in metabolic alkalosismet-uh-BOL-ik al-kuh-LOH-sisAn acid-base imbalance in which the blood holds too much bicarbonate, so its pH rises above 7.45.alkal base (the opposite of acid)-osis conditionFull entry . A negative value, called a base deficit, means base has been used up or lost, as in metabolic acidosismet-uh-BOL-ik as-ih-DOH-sisA state in which the blood is too acidic because the body has too much acid or has lost too much bicarbonate.metabol change, the body's chemical work-ic relating toacid -osis abnormal conditionFull entry .
At a glance
| Normal range | −2 to +2 mEq/L [−2 to +2 mmol/L] |
|---|---|
| Also written | base deficit |
Related terms
arterial blood gas
A blood test from an artery that measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate and the blood's pH.
metabolic acidosis
A state in which the blood is too acidic because the body has too much acid or has lost too much bicarbonate.
bicarbonate
A base in the blood that balances acid; the kidneys control it, and its level is measured on blood gas and chemistry tests.
metabolic alkalosis
An acid-base imbalance in which the blood holds too much bicarbonate, so its pH rises above 7.45.
arterial pH
A measure of how acidic or alkaline the blood in an artery is, reported on an arterial blood gas.