Chloride
Understanding Chloride
What is Chloride?
A Chloride test measures the levels of chloride, an important electrolyte, in your body. This test is performed to evaluate your overall health or as a follow-up test for ongoing conditions like high blood pressure or problems related to the kidneys, liver, or heart. This test is often done as part of a routine health checkup.
Chloride helps to maintain a balance between minerals and electrolytes throughout the body, controls the amount of fluid in the body, balances the body's acid-base (pH) level, and helps in the proper functioning of the nerves and muscles. This electrolyte also regulates blood pressure and maintains blood volume. It also aids in the production of hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the stomach, which helps in the digestion of food.
Your doctor may advise a Chloride test if you show symptoms suggestive of chloride imbalance, such as extreme fatigue or weakness, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. This test may also be used to monitor treatment response if you have ongoing conditions like abnormal blood pressure levels or kidney disease. Usually, no special preparation is required for this test; eat and drink as per your daily routine.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help them determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your health, and formulate your overall treatment plan.
What is Chloride used for?
A Chloride test is done:
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As part of routine health checkups.
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To check the water and electrolyte balance in the body.
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To check the acid-base (pH) balance of the body.
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To monitor the progress of the condition and treatment response while undergoing treatment for high blood pressure and diseases related to the kidneys, heart, or liver.
What does Chloride measure?
A Chloride test measures the amount of chloride in your body. Chloride is present in all body fluids and is found in the highest concentration in the blood and extracellular fluid (fluid present outside the cells). The body gets most of the chloride through dietary salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) and a small amount through other food items. The required amount of chloride is absorbed in the body and the excess amount is excreted by the kidneys through urine. When the chloride is combined with sodium it is mostly found in nature as salt. Chloride generally increases or decreases in direct relationship to sodium but may also change without any changes in sodium levels when there are problems with the body's pH. Usually, the normal blood chloride level remains steady with a slight fall after meals (because the stomach produces hydrochloric acid using chloride from the blood after we eat food).
Interpreting Chloride results
Interpretations
Normal reference range:
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Adults: 98 to 106 mEq/L (milliequivalents per liter)
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Children: 90 to 110 mEq/L
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Newborn: 96 to 106 mEq/L
Higher than normal chloride level is called Hyperchloremia.
Lower than normal chloride level is called Hypochloremia.
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Chloride
Frequently Asked Questions about Chloride
Q. Why do I need a chloride blood test?
Q. What is hyperchloremia and its associated symptoms?
Q. What is hypochloremia and its associated symptoms?
Q. What is the most common source of chloride?
Q. What does a high chloride level mean?
Q. What factors can affect the chloride test results?
Q. What other tests can be prescribed by the doctor if my blood chloride levels are abnormal?
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References
- Boston 677 HA, Ma 02115 +1495‑1000. Chloride. The Nutrition Source. Published 15 Sep. 2022. [Accessed 23 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/chloride/#:~:text=Chloride%20is%20a%20mineral%20naturally
- Chloride: foods, functions, how much do you need & more. www.eufic.org. Published 11 Jan. 2021. [Accessed 23 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://www.eufic.org/en/vitamins-and-minerals/article/chloride-foods-functions-how-much-do-you-need-more
- Chloride - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. Sciencedirect.com. Published 2014. [Accessed 23 Feb. 2023]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/chloride
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