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Blood test
Blood test

Serum chloride
Definition:
A test that measures the amount of chloride in serum (serum is the fluid portion of the blood, without fibrinogen).

Alternative Names:
Cl-

How the test is performed:
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture) or capillary. The laboratory centrifuges the blood to separate the cells from the serum. The chloride test is done on serum.
How to prepare for the test:

Your health care provider may instruct you to withhold drugs that can affect the test.

Drugs that may increase serum chloride measurements include acetazolamide, ammonium chloride, androgens, chlorothiazide, cortisone, estrogen, guanethidine, hydrochlorothiazide, methyldopa, and NSAIDs.

Drugs that may decrease serum chloride measurements include aldosterone (see the aldosterone test), drugs containing bicarbonate, some diuretics, and triamterene.
Why the test is performed:
Chloride (Cl-) is the major extracellular negative ion in the body. Its main function is to maintain electrical neutrality, mostly as a counter-ion to sodium. Changes in the chloride level often accompany sodium losses and excesses.
Normal Values:

The normal range is 96 to 106 mEq/L.

Note: mEq/L = milliequivalents per liter

Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory.
What abnormal results mean:
Greater-than-normal levels may indicate:Lower-than-normal levels may indicate:Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Review Date: 11/20/2001
Reviewed By: Donna R. Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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