Chloride

Chloride is the major extracellular anion; it is not actively regulated normally. It reflects changes in sodium; if it changes independent of sodium, this is usually due to an acid " “base disorder.

Normal range: 97 " “110 mmol/L.

Use

With sodium, potassium, and carbon dioxide to assess electrolyte, acid " “base, and water balance. Chloride usually changes in the same direction as sodium except in metabolic acidosis with bicarbonate depletion and metabolic alkalosis with bicarbonate excess, when serum sodium levels may be normal.

Interpretation

Increased In

Metabolic acidosis associated with prolonged diarrhea with loss of sodium bicarbonate

Renal tubular diseases with decreased excretion of hydrogen ions and decreased reabsorption of bicarbonate ( "hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis " ¯)

Respiratory alkalosis (e.g., hyperventilation, severe CNS damage)

Drugs

Excessive administration of certain drugs (e.g., ammonium chloride, IV saline, salicylate intoxication, acetazolamide therapy)

False (methodologic) increase due to bromides or other halogens

Retention of salt and water (e.g., corticosteroids, guanethidine, phenylbutazone)

Some cases of hyperparathyroidism

Diabetes insipidus, dehydration

Sodium loss > chloride loss (e.g., diarrhea, intestinal fistulas)

Ureterosigmoidostomy

Decreased In

Prolonged vomiting or suction (loss of hydrochloric acid)

Metabolic acidosis with accumulation of organic anions

Chronic respiratory acidosis

Salt-losing renal diseases

Adrenocortical insufficiency

Primary aldosteronism

Expansion of extracellular fluid (e.g., SIADH, hyponatremia, water intoxication, CHF)

Direct ISE (ion-selective electrode) measurements do not give the volume displacement error in specimens with high lipid or protein content, as indirect ISE and flame measurements do.

May be slightly decreased after meals; fasting specimen collection is recommended.