Patient Preparation:No special preparation is required
A chloride test helps in understanding if you have a kidney or adrenal gland problems. It also helps find the reason for high blood ph.
Your doctor must have recommended this test for you as a part of an electrolyte panel, which is a regular blood test. You may also need a chloride blood test if you show signs of an acid imbalance in your body. The signs include:
Frequent Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Breathing trouble
Severe dehydration
Chloride accounts for about 75% of negatively charged ion in the body and hence serves as one of the main electrolytes of the body. Chloride, additionally to potassium and sodium, assist the conduction of electrical impulses when dissolved in bodily water.
In addition to its functions as an electrolyte, chloride combines with hydrogen within the stomach to form hydrochloric acid, a strong digestive enzyme that's liable for the breakdown of proteins, absorption of other metallic minerals, and activation of intrinsic factor, which helps absorb vitamin B12.
Chloride deficiency is extremely rare but when it occurs causes the blood to turn overly alkaline and can cause a life threatening condition called as Alkalosis. The most common cause of elevated levels of chloride in the blood (hyperchloremia) is dehydration, but can also occur with other problems that cause high blood sodium, such as Cushing syndrome or kidney disease. Low levels of chloride occur in prolonged vomiting, congestive heart failure, chronic lung diseases, Addison disease etc.
Sample: Serum (2 mL)
Methodology: Indirect ISE