Chloride is a negatively charged molecule known as an electrolyte . It works with other electrolytes, such as potassium, salt (sodium), and carbon dioxide (CO2), to help keep the proper balance of body fluids and maintain the body's acid-base balance.
The serum chloride test measures the amount of chloride in the fluid portion of the blood.
Blood is drawn from a vein or capillary. A laboratory machine spins the blood to separate the cells from the serum, and the level of chloride in the serum is measured.
How to prepare for the test:
Your doctor may tell you to temporarily stop taking certain drugs that can affect test results.
Drugs that may increase serum chloride measurements include:
Acetazolamide
Ammonium chloride
Androgens
Cortisone
Estrogen
Guanethidine
Methyldopa
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Drugs that may lower serum chloride measurements include:
Aldosterone
Bicarbonates
Certain diuretics
Triamterene
Never stop taking medication without first talking to your doctor.
How the test will feel:
Why the test is performed:
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of a disturbance in your body's fluid level or acid-base balance.
This test is usually ordered along with other blood tests such as a metabolic panel (CHEM-7 or CHEM-20 ).
Normal Values:
A typical normal range is 96 - 106 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results mean:
A greater-than-normal level of chloride is called hyperchloremia. It may be due to:
Certain drugs, including carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (used to treat glaucoma)
Fukagawa M, Kurokawa K, Papadakis MA. Fluid & electrolyte disorders. In: McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA, Tierney LM, Jr. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2007. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2007.
Review Date: 4/26/2007 Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Professor of Endocrinology, Department of Biology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
