ElectrolytesReported in mmol/LChloride
The main negatively charged electrolyte in blood. It travels with sodium and shifts when acid–base balance shifts.
What it measures
Chloride follows sodium and water, and it also moves to balance bicarbonate. When carbon dioxide (bicarbonate) on this panel falls, chloride often rises, and the reverse happens too. That seesaw is one of the more useful patterns in a basic chemistry panel.
Why it is on the panel
Chloride helps explain a sodium that looks odd, and it is part of reading acid–base status together with carbon dioxide. Vomiting, diarrhea, and some kidney and lung problems leave fingerprints here.
How to read it
Read chloride with sodium and with carbon dioxide in the Other tests group. A high chloride plus a low bicarbonate is a hyperchloremic pattern. A low chloride plus a high bicarbonate fits vomiting or diuretic use more often.
When it runs higher
Dehydration, kidney tubular problems, diarrhea with bicarbonate loss, and some medicines raise chloride. The number is interpreted with sodium. If both are high, water deficit is the first thought.
When it runs lower
Prolonged vomiting, nasogastric suction, and some diuretics lower chloride by losing stomach acid. Overhydration and chronic lung disease with a compensated high bicarbonate can lower it as well.
Same group
Other Electrolytes tests
How to use this page
This page explains what the measurement is for. It is educational. Your Healiam report includes the reference interval for your age and sex, and a clinician reads that result with your history, medicines, and the rest of the panel. Talk with a clinician before changing diet, supplements, or treatment because of a number on a report.
Chloride
Chloride is part of the full panel.
No referral or insurance required.
One preventive draw covers this measurement and the rest of the Healiam panel. CLIA-certified results come back in days.