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Test ID: CL Chloride, Serum

Reporting Name

Chloride, S

Useful For

Evaluation of water, electrolyte, and acid-base status

Specimen Type

Serum


Necessary Information


Patient's age and sex are required.



Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged, and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  30 days

Reference Values

1-17 years: 102-112 mmol/L

≥18 years: 98-107 mmol/L

Reference values have not been established for patients who are under 12 months of age.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

82435

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CL Chloride, S 2075-0

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
CL Chloride, S 2075-0

Clinical Information

Chloride is the major anion in the extracellular water space; its physiological significance is in maintaining proper body water distribution, osmotic pressure, and normal anion-cation balance in the extracellular fluid compartment.

 

Chloride is increased in dehydration, renal tubular acidosis (hyperchloremia metabolic acidosis), acute renal failure, metabolic acidosis associated with prolonged diarrhea and loss of sodium bicarbonate, diabetes insipidus, adrenocortical hyperfunction, salicylate intoxication, and with excessive infusion of isotonic saline or extremely high dietary intake of salt. Hyperchloremia acidosis may be a sign of severe renal tubular pathology.

 

Chloride is decreased in overhydration, chronic respiratory acidosis, salt-losing nephritis, metabolic alkalosis, congestive heart failure, Addisonian crisis, certain types of metabolic acidosis, persistent gastric secretion and prolonged vomiting, aldosteronism, bromide intoxication, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and conditions associated with expansion of extracellular fluid volume.

Interpretation

In normal individuals, serum chloride values vary little during the day, although there is a slight decrease after meals due to the diversion of chloride to the production of gastric juice.

Clinical Reference

Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood. WB Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1994

Report Available

Same day/1 to 2 days

Method Name

Potentiometric/Indirect Ion-Selective Electrode

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Renal Diagnostics Catalog Additional Information:

mcl-kidney