Causes of Low Carbon Dioxide in the Blood

Hyperventilation is a leading cause of a low blood CO2 level.
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The trillions of cells that make up your body metabolize food molecules to generate energy. This metabolism yields carbon dioxide (CO2) as a byproduct. Your body rids itself of excess CO2 via your lungs when you exhale. A small amount, however, remains in your blood and plays an important role in maintaining the acid-base balance of your bloodstream. A low blood CO2 level occurs with several conditions, some relatively harmless and others more serious.

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Hyperventilation — breathing too rapidly or deeply than your body requires — is a leading cause of a low blood CO2 level. When you hyperventilate, you exhale too much CO2 causing a drop in your blood level. Hyperventilation triggered by severe pain, overwhelming fear or anxiety, or a panic attack can cause a short-term dip in your CO2 level.


A persistently low CO2 level due to ongoing hyperventilation can occur with a variety of medical conditions and situations, including:

  • Travel to a high altitude site

  • Head injury

  • Brain tumor

  • Infection of the brain or spinal fluid

  • Heart failure

  • Pneumonia

  • Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

  • Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)

  • High fever

  • Bloodstream infection (sepsis)

  • Liver failure

  • Pregnancy

    — This is a normal, harmless change during pregnancy.

Excess Blood Acids

Excess acids in your bloodstream drive down your blood CO2 level. This occurs with conditions that increase acid production in your body and with ingestion of certain types of medications or toxic substances. Examples include:



Excess Bicarbonate Loss

You might recall from a high school or college chemistry class that a buffer system refers to dissolved chemicals that help maintain a relatively constant pH. Bicarbonate in your body serves as potent buffer that helps keep your blood pH stable.

When your body loses excess amounts of bicarbonate, your blood CO2 level typically falls as a downstream effect. Excess loss of bicarbonate occurs with several conditions, including:


What It Feels Like

A sudden drop in your blood CO2 level due to hyperventilation typically causes an array of symptoms, including lightheadedness, tingling in your arms and legs and around your mouth, foggy thinking, and possibly fainting. Slowing your breathing rate and/or breathing into a paper bag is usually all that's needed to bring your CO2 level back into a normal range and alleviate your symptoms.

A gradual drop in blood CO2 due to an ongoing medical condition typically does not cause symptoms in and of itself. Treatment of the underlying condition can help correct the CO2 level and other related biochemical abnormalities.

Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about your blood CO2 level.


Is This an Emergency?

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