Chloride

Chloride is one of the important anions in the body and is mostly found in the form of sodium chloride. Chloride is mainly responsible for the resting membrane potential of the body. To be able to evaluate the chloride level, the values of the acid-base balance and the anion gap should be clarified.

Standard value: In serum the standard value is between 97 and 102 mmol/l, in urine the standard value is between 80 and 270 mmol/24h.

Pathologically elevated: Serum levels are usually parallel to Na+- and contrary to HCO3 concentrations. It is elevated in diarrhoea, primary hyperparathyroidism, renal insufficiency, renal-tubular acidosis, chronic hyperventilation, ureteosigmoideostomy, exogenous supply of chloride ions or during therapy with carbon anhydrase inhibitors.

Pathologically decreased: vomiting, Bartter syndrome, milk-alkaline syndrome, chronic respiratory insufficiency, hyperaldosteronism and when taking diuretics.