If you need to know which are the chloride reference ranges or you require more information about the role of chloride in the blood, you can visit normal chloride level in the blood
A chloride level in the blood above normal range is called hyperchloremia. It shows an unbalance in the water and chloride amount in the body. Hyperchloremia occurs when the water loss are higher than the chloride loss or when the procedure to excrete the excessive amount of chloride out of the body does not work properly.
The main reasons for an increase of chloride in the blood are:
It is very common to see hyperchloremia in case of dehydration or kidney disorders.
Hyperchloremia is usually related to hypernatremia (a high sodium level in the blood) and metabolic acidosis.
In the International System of Units (SI), chloride in the blood is measured in mmol/L. The numeric values in this case are the same in mEq/L or in mmol/L.
Hyperchloremia or a high chloride blood level means:
Chloride in the blood is a bit high, but it is not a matter for concern. It may be due to dehydration or interaction with medication.
It is advisable to study the sodium blood level for a better diagnosis.
If there is no other alteration, it is probable that in the next blood test the chloride value in the blood returns to the normal range.
These values require a visit your doctor to study the possible causes.
You may suffer symptoms like lethargy, weakness, fatigue or tachypnea (a respiration rate greater than normal).
Values of chloride above 125 mEq/L are considered a serious matter, although it is not common.
It requires urgent medical attention to avoid arrhythmia or a possible coma.
There are some health circumstances or drugs than can raise your chloride level in the blood:
A chloride level higher than normal may be a sign of the following diseases:
If your chloride level in the blood is a bit high, you can consider the following tips:
In case of severe hyperchloremia, intravenous sodium bicarbonate is available under medical prescription.
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The following values are considered to be above the normal range:
IMPORTANT: These levels are expressed in mEq/L (mmol/L). They are an example of a healthy man of about 45 years old with no known disease and not taking any medication. The ranges can be different depending on the laboratory or on your personal circumstances.
Chloride | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild hyperchloremia | |||||||
| 107 mEq/L | 108 mEq/L | 109 mEq/L | 110 mEq/L | 111 mEq/L | 112 mEq/L | 113 mEq/L | 114 mEq/L |
| 115 mEq/L | |||||||
| Moderate hyperchloremia | |||||||
| 116 mEq/L | 117 mEq/L | 118 mEq/L | 119 mEq/L | 120 mEq/L | 121 mEq/L | 122 mEq/L | 123 mEq/L |
| 124 mEq/L | 125 mEq/L | ||||||
| Marked hyperchloremia | |||||||
| 126 mEq/L | 127 mEq/L | 128 mEq/L | 129 mEq/L | 130 mEq/L | 131 mEq/L | 132 mEq/L | 133 mEq/L |
| 134 mEq/L | 135 mEq/L | 136 mEq/L | 137 mEq/L | 138 mEq/L | 139 mEq/L | 140 mEq/L | 141 mEq/L |
| 142 mEq/L | 143 mEq/L | 144 mEq/L | 145 mEq/L | 146 mEq/L | 147 mEq/L | 148 mEq/L | 149 mEq/L |
| 150 mEq/L | |||||||
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