A chloride test measures the level of chloride in your blood or urine. Chloride is one of the most important electrolytes, Opens dialog in the blood. It helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells in balance. It also helps maintain proper blood volume, blood pressure, and pH, Opens dialog of your body fluids. Tests for sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate are usually done at the same time as a blood test for chloride.
Most of the chloride in your body comes from the salt (sodium chloride) you eat. Chloride is absorbed by your intestines, Opens dialog when you digest food. Extra chloride leaves your body in your urine.
Sometimes a test for chloride can be done on a one-time random sample of urine or on a sample of all your urine collected over a 24-hour period (called a 24-hour urine sample). This can help find out how much chloride is leaving your body in your urine.
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).
In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor tells you to.
For 24-hour urine collection, your doctor or lab will usually give you a large container that holds about 1 gallon.
Information about Chloride (Cl) Test
Blood test
A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm.
Urine test
This test is usually done at home. You must collect all the urine you produce in a 24-hour period.
Timed urine collection
You collect your urine for a period of time, such as over 4 or 24 hours. Your doctor will give you a large container that holds about 1 gallon. A small amount of preservative may be in the container. You will use the container to collect your urine.
When you first get up, you empty your bladder.
But don't save this urine. Write down the time you began.
For the set period of time, collect all your urine.
Each time you urinate during this time period, collect your urine in a small, clean container. Then pour the urine into the large container. Don't touch the inside of either container with your fingers.
Don't get toilet paper, pubic hair, stool (feces), menstrual blood, or anything else in the urine sample.
Keep the collected urine in the refrigerator for the collection time.
Empty your bladder for the last time at or just before the end of the collection period.
Add this urine to the large container. Then write down the time.
When a blood sample is taken, you may feel nothing at all from the needle. Or you might feel a quick sting or pinch.
Urine test
This test usually doesn't cause any pain or discomfort.
Blood test
There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. When a blood sample is taken, a small bruise may form at the site.
Urine test
There is very little chance of having a problem from this test.
Normal
Each lab has a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test. The normal range is just a guide. Your doctor will also look at your results based on your age, health, and other factors. A value that isn't in the normal range may still be normal for you.
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, 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. Learn how we develop our content.
