What does chloride reveal in blood test?

Answer 1

Chloride is one of the electrolytes. It is a negatively charged molecule which works with other electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, and carbon dioxide , to keep the appropriate amounts of body fluids in the appropriate places and to and maintain the body's acid-base balance Certain factors are known to increase it such as: 1. Drugs, especially some of the ones that decrease pressure in the eye for glaucoma patients. Also acetazolamide, ammonium chloride, androgens, cortisone, estrogen, guanethidine, methyldopa, and NSAIDs can all increase chloride. 2. Dehydration often causes an increased chloride level when water is loss in excess of chloride ion. 3. Repspiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis both increase chloride. 4. Certain types of kidney problems such as RTA or renal tubular acidosis. 5. Bromide is very similar to chloride and too much bromine will cause high chloride. Low chloride is seen in some conditions as well. 1. Severe burns cause loss of electrolytes especially chloride 2. Addison's disease (Adrenocortical hypofunction) 3. CHF or congestive heart failure cause fluid retention and low chloride. 4. Sweating leads to chloride loss so if that is excessive chloride will be low. 5. There is HCL or hydrochloric acid in the stomach. When this is removed by an NG tube as often is the case in the hospital, it must be replaced or there will be low chloride levels. For the same reason, excess vomiting will also cause low chloride. 6. Respiratory acidosis once it is compensated for will cause low chloride. 7. SIADH or syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion. 8. Taking in or receiving by IV too much fluid can do it too. So over hydration is a cause. 9. Metabolic alkalosis 10. Some drugs such as bicarbonate containing compounds, some diuretics, and triamterene. 11. Some types of kidney problems cause a loss of salt, such as salt losing nephritis.