Chloride (Cl)

Results

A chloride test measures the level of chloride in your blood or urine. Chloride is one of the most important electrolytes 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

Normal results may vary widely from lab to lab. Blood chloride levels are checked more often than urine chloride levels. Results are usually available in 1 to 2 days.

Chloride in blood

Adults:	98–106 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) or 98–106 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
Children:	90–110 mEq/L or 90–110 mmol/L
Newborn:	96–106 mEq/L or 96–106 mmol/L
Premature baby:	95–110 mEq/L or 95–110 mmol/L

 

Chloride in urine

Adult:	110–250 mEq per 24 hours or 110–250 mmol per day
Child:	15–40 mEq/24 hours or 15–40 mmol/day
Baby:	2–10 mEq/24 hours or 2–10 mmol/day

Abnormal

High chloride levels may be caused by:

• Anemia.
• Dehydration, such as from diarrhea or vomiting.
• Eating a lot of salt.
• Kidney disease.
• An overactive parathyroid gland (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).
• Cushing's syndrome.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Heart failure.
• Kidney failure.
• Ongoing vomiting.
• Severe burns.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: April 17, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.