Chloride (Cl)
Results
A chloride test measures the level of chloride in your blood or urine. Chloride is one of the most important Reference electrolytes Opens New Window in the blood, along with sodium, potassium, and calcium. Chloride helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells in balance.
Normal
The normal values listed here—called a reference range—are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab. Blood chloride levels are checked more often than urine chloride levels. Results are usually available in 1 to 2 days.
| Adult: |
96–106 Reference milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) Opens New Window[96–106 Reference millimoles per liter (mmol/L) Opens New Window] |
|---|---|
| Newborn: |
96–113 mEq/L (96–113 mmol/L) |
| Adult: |
140–250 Reference mEq Opens New Window per 24 hours (140–250 Reference mmol Opens New Window per day) |
|---|---|
| Child (10–14 years): |
64–176 mEq/24 hours (64–176 mmol/day) |
| Child (younger than 6 years): |
15–40 mEq/24 hours (15–40 mmol/day) |
Abnormal
High chloride levels may be caused by:
- Reference Dehydration Opens New Window, such as from diarrhea or vomiting.
- Eating a lot of salt.
- Kidney disease.
- An overactive Reference parathyroid gland Opens New Window (hyperparathyroidism).
Low chloride levels may be caused by:
- Conditions that cause too much water to build up in the body, such as with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
- Reference Addison's disease Opens New Window.
- A condition that raises the Reference pH Opens New Window of the blood above the normal range (metabolic alkalosis).
- Reference Heart failure Opens New Window.
- Ongoing vomiting.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference March 26, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Thomas M. Bailey, MD - Family Medicine |
|
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
