Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017 | 
Chloride test - blood
Serum chloride test
Chloride is a type of electrolyte . It works with other electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and carbon dioxide (CO2). These substances help keep the proper balance of body fluids and maintain the body's acid-base balance.
Electrolyte
Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...
This article is about the laboratory test used to measure the amount of chloride in the fluid portion (serum) of the blood.
How the Test is Performed
A blood sample is needed. Most of the time blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
Drawn from a vein
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
How to Prepare for the Test
Many medicines can interfere with blood test results.
- Your health care provider will tell you if you need to stop taking any medicines before you have this test.
- DO NOT stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider first.
Why the Test is Performed
You may have this test if you have signs that your body's fluid level or acid-base balance is disturbed.
This test is most often ordered with other blood tests, such as a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel.
Normal Results
A typical normal range is 96 to 106 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) or 96 to 106 millimoles per liter (millimol/L).
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The example above shows the common measurement range for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A greater-than-normal level of chloride is called hyperchloremia. It may be due to:
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (used to treat glaucoma)
- Diarrhea
-
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Respiratory alkalosis
(compensated)
Respiratory alkalosis
Respiratory alkalosis is a condition marked by a low level of carbon dioxide in the blood due to breathing excessively.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Renal tubular acidosis
Renal tubular acidosis
Proximal renal tubular acidosis is a disease that occurs when the kidneys don't properly remove acids from the blood into the urine. As a result, to...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article
A lower-than-normal level of chloride is called hypochloremia. It may be due to:
-
Addison disease
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Bartter syndrome
Bartter syndrome
Bartter syndrome is a group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Burns
-
Congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Dehydration
- Excessive sweating
-
Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism is a disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood. Hyperaldosteronism can be pr...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Metabolic alkalosis
-
Respiratory acidosis
(compensated)
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide the body produces. This causes body fluids, e...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone secretion (
SIADH
)
SIADH
Antidiuretic blood test measures the level of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Vomiting
This test may also be done to help rule out or diagnose:
-
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
Multiple endocrine neoplasia, type II (MEN II) is a disorder passed down through families in which one or more of the endocrine glands are overactive...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Primary hyperparathyroidism
References
Seifter JR. Acid-base disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 118.
-
Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
-
Blood test - illustration
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.
Blood test
illustration
-
Hyperkalemia
(Alt. Medicine)
-
Potassium
(Alt. Medicine)
-
Kidney stones
(In-Depth)
Review Date: 5/3/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
