Blood (Serum) Chloride Level Test

What is the blood chloride test?

This test measures the amount of chloride in your blood. Chloride is a chemical your body needs for metabolism (the process of turning the food you eat into energy). It also helps keep your body's acid-base balance. The amount of chloride in your blood is carefully controlled by your kidneys.

Why is this test done?

Your blood chloride level may be measured to check:

• your metabolism
• how well your body's organs are working (particularly your kidneys)
• your acid-base balance.

This test may also be done to check certain medical treatments. Some medicines can cause the body's chloride level to go up or down.

How do I prepare for this test?

• You don't need to fast or limit your activity before the test.
• You may need to avoid taking certain medicines before the test because they might affect the test result. Make sure your health care provider knows about any medicines, herbs, or supplements that you are taking.
• Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions.

How is the test done?

A small amount of blood is taken from your arm with a needle. The blood is collected in tubes and sent to a lab.

Having this test will take just a few minutes of your time. There is no risk of getting AIDS, hepatitis, or any other blood-borne disease from this test.

How will I get the test result?

Ask your health care provider when and how you will get the result of your test.

What does the test result mean?

The normal blood chloride range for adults in most labs is 95 to 105 milliequivalents (mEq) per liter. The normal range may vary slightly from lab to lab. Normal ranges are usually shown next to your results in the lab report.

Your blood level of chloride may be higher than normal if:

• You don't have enough fluid in your body (dehydration).
• You eat too much salt (sodium chloride).
• You have had diarrhea for a long time.
• Your body is making too much parathyroid hormone.
• You have kidney disease.

Your blood level of chloride may be lower than normal if:

• You take medicines called diuretics (also called "water pills" because they make you lose water).
• You have been vomiting for a long time.

What if my test result is not normal?

Test results are only one part of a larger picture that takes into account your medical history and current health. Sometimes a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your health care provider about your result and ask questions.

If your test results are not normal, ask your health care provider:

• if you need additional tests
• what you can do to work toward a normal value
• when you need to be tested again.