Abnormal results may indicate that your body has an electrolyte imbalance, or that there is a problem removing carbon dioxide through your lungs. Too much CO2 in the blood can indicate a variety of conditions including: Lung diseases. Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder of the adrenal glands.

What happens if your CO2 levels are high?

Having too much carbon dioxide in the body can cause nonspecific symptoms like headache, fatigue, and muscle twitches. Often, it clears up quickly on its own. With severe hypercapnia, though, the body can’t restore CO2 balance and the symptoms are more serious.

Can dehydration cause high CO2 levels?

High CO2 in blood may point to: Lung diseases like COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dehydration. Anorexia.