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Description

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is toxic to humans and animals when inhaled. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline, natural gas, wood, and coal. When inhaled, CO binds to hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the bloodstream. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and even death. Long-term exposure to low levels of CO can also lead to permanent damage to the heart and brain.

Synonyms

• carbon monoxide toxicity
• carboxyhemoglobinemia
• CO poisoning
• CO toxicity

Basic Lab Tests (measurements)

• serum
  •      aspartate aminotransferase
  •      aldolase
  •      urea nitrogen
  •      phosphoglycerate mutase
• urine
  •      brown urine
  •      erythrocytes
  •      urine color
  •      creatinine clearance
  •      myoglobin
  •      red-brown urine
  •      red urine
  •      hemoglobin
  •      protein
• whole blood
  •      carbon monoxide
  •      pH
  •      leukocytes

Detailed Disease and Condition Information (use the search buttons below to find details on these topics)
All of the following must be considered when interpreting clinical findings and are too extensive to be covered on this site: