If you have raised CO2 in the body does that mean your oxygen saturations would be lower and work of breathing increase?

Yes, increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the body can lead to lower oxygen saturations and increased work of breathing. Here's the relationship between these factors:

1. Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen Transport: CO2 is a waste product of cellular respiration that is transported from the tissues to the lungs for elimination. When CO2 levels rise in the blood, it competes with oxygen for binding to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This competition leads to a decrease in the amount of oxygen that can be carried by the blood.

2. Lower Oxygen Saturations: As a result of reduced oxygen binding to hemoglobin, the oxygen saturation of the blood decreases. Oxygen saturation is the percentage of hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen. Lower oxygen saturations mean that less oxygen is available to the tissues, which can lead to tissue hypoxia and impaired organ function.

3. Increased Work of Breathing: To compensate for the decreased oxygen delivery, the respiratory system increases its effort to bring more oxygen into the lungs and eliminate CO2. This results in increased work of breathing, characterized by rapid and deeper breaths. The increased respiratory effort aims to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood and prevent tissue hypoxia.

4. Respiratory Acidosis: Elevated CO2 levels can also cause respiratory acidosis, a condition in which the pH of the blood decreases due to the excess carbonic acid formed from CO2. Respiratory acidosis further impairs oxygen delivery by altering the hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, leading to a worsening of the oxygen saturation and increased work of breathing.

Therefore, raised CO2 in the body is associated with lower oxygen saturations and increased work of breathing as the body attempts to maintain oxygen delivery and correct the acid-base balance.