Chloride Blood Test
Reviewed
A chloride blood test measures the amount of chloride in your blood. Chloride is an electrolyte that helps control fluid levels and the balance of acids and bases (pH) in your body. This test is often part of a routine blood screening or used to help monitor or diagnose conditions related to an acid or fluid imbalance.
Preparation and collection
You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take. Do not stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to. If your provider has ordered other blood tests, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Many factors can affect chloride levels, including fluid intake, fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea, and certain medicines (such as antacids).
- Abnormal chloride levels do not always indicate a medical problem that needs treatment.
- Reference ranges may vary between laboratories; your provider will interpret your results.
What to do next
To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider. They will consider your symptoms, medical history, and other test results to determine if further evaluation or treatment is needed.