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
Hypochloremia is an electrolyte imbalance where the chloride level in the blood is lower than normal.
The main cause for a low value of chloride in the blood is the loss of chloride in the gut (vomiting or diarrhea) or the loss of chloride in the kidney (diuretic treatment with thiazides).
Another possible cause is an inadequate intake of chloride on diet, for example, due to a low-salt diet.
Hypochloremia is usually related to hyponatremia (low sodium values in the blood) and metabolic alkalosis.
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.
Hypochloremia or a low chloride blood level means:
Chloride level in the blood is a bit low, but it is not a matter for concern. It may be due to vomiting, diarrhea or interaction with medication.
It is necessary to study sodium level in the blood 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 are quite low and it requires a visit your doctor to look for the possible causes.
You may suffer symptoms like irritability, hyperactivity or tetany (involuntary contraction of muscles).
Chloride level in the blood is very low and requires immediate medical attention.
You can suffer from arrhythmia, bradypnea (abnormally slow breathing), coma or respiratory arrest.
Some particular health situation or drugs may reduce your chloride level in the blood:
The following diseases can explain a chloride level in the blood lower than normal:
If your chloride level in the blood is a bit low, you can consider the following tips:
In case of severe hypochloremia, intravenous saline solution 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 hypochloremia | |||||||
| 96 mEq/L | 95 mEq/L | 94 mEq/L | 93 mEq/L | 92 mEq/L | 91 mEq/L | 90 mEq/L | |
| Moderate hypochloremia | |||||||
| 89 mEq/L | 88 mEq/L | 87 mEq/L | 86 mEq/L | 85 mEq/L | 84 mEq/L | 83 mEq/L | 82 mEq/L |
| 81 mEq/L | 80 mEq/L | ||||||
| Marked hypochloremia | |||||||
| 79 mEq/L | 78 mEq/L | 77 mEq/L | 76 mEq/L | 75 mEq/L | 74 mEq/L | 73 mEq/L | 72 mEq/L |
| 71 mEq/L | 70 mEq/L | 69 mEq/L | 68 mEq/L | 67 mEq/L | 66 mEq/L | 65 mEq/L | 64 mEq/L |
| 63 mEq/L | 62 mEq/L | 61 mEq/L | 60 mEq/L | 59 mEq/L | 58 mEq/L | 57 mEq/L | 56 mEq/L |
| 55 mEq/L | 54 mEq/L | 53 mEq/L | 52 mEq/L | 51 mEq/L | 50 mEq/L | ||
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