Serum chloride

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X

Blood test

Serum chloride test measures the amount of chloride in serum, the fluid portion of the blood.

Blood is drawn from a vein or capillary. The laboratory centrifuges the blood to separate the cells from the serum. The chloride test is done on serum.

Your doctor may instruct you to withhold drugs that can affect the test, such as:

• Drugs that may increase serum chloride measurements include acetazolamide, ammonium chloride, androgens, cortisone, estrogen, guanethidine, methyldopa, and NSAIDs.
• Drugs that may decrease serum chloride measurements include aldosterone, drugs containing bicarbonate, some diuretics, and triamterene.

Never stop taking medication unless instructed by your doctor.

Chloride (Cl-) is the major negative ion in the fluid outside the body's cells. Its main function is to maintain electrical neutrality, mostly as a counter-ion to sodium. Changes in the chloride level often accompany sodium losses and excesses.

Review Date: 06/13/2005
Reviewed By: Debbie Cohen, M.D., Renal and Electrolyte Division, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.