Chloride (Cl)

Why It Is Done

A test for chloride may be done to:

• Check your chloride level if you are having symptoms, such as muscle twitching or spasms, breathing problems, weakness, or confusion.
• Find out whether you have kidney or adrenal gland problems.
• Help find the cause for high blood pH. A condition called metabolic alkalosis can be caused by a loss of acid from your body (for example, from a loss of electrolytes through prolonged vomiting or diarrhea). You may also have metabolic alkalosis if your body loses too much sodium or you eat too much baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

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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
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