Chloride test - blood

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Serum chloride test

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.

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)
• Dehydration
• Metabolic acidosis
• Respiratory alkalosis
• Renal tubular acidosis
• Too much bromide

A lower-than-normal level of chloride is called hypochloremia. It may be due to:

• Addison's disease
• Burns
• Certain kidney disorders
• Chronic compensated respiratory acidosis
• Congestive heart failure
• Excessive sweating
• Gastric suction
• Metabolic alkalosis
• Overhydration
• Syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone ( SIADH)secretion
• Vomiting

This test may also be done to help rule out or diagnose:

• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
• Primary hyperparathyroidism

Review Date: 05/13/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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