Chloride test - blood
Serum chloride testChloride 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 provider 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:
-
Addison disease
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.
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- Diarrhea
- Ethylene glycol poisoning
- Ketoacidosis
- Kidney disease
- Lactic acidosis
-
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids.
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- Renal tubular acidosis - distal
- Renal tubular acidosis - proximal
-
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.
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- Ureteral diversion
A lower-than-normal level of chloride is called hypochloremia. It may be due to:
-
Bartter syndrome
Bartter syndrome
Bartter syndrome is a group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys.
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-
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...
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- 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...
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-
Respiratory acidosis (compensated)
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when your lungs can’t remove all of the carbon dioxide produced by your body. This causes the blood ...
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SIADH
Antidiuretic blood test measures the level of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in blood.
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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...
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Delirium may also alter chloride levels.
References
Bansal A. Respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, and mixed acid-base disorders. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 15.
Seifter JR. Acid-base disorders. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 110.
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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
Review Date: 6/20/2023
Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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