Chloride is a negatively charged molecule known as an electrolyte. It works with other electrolytes, such as potassium, salt (sodium), and carbon dioxide (CO2), to help keep the proper balance of body fluids and maintain the body's acid-base balance.
A test can be done to measure the amount of chloride in a urine sample.
See also:
A random urine sample or 24-hour urine collection may be needed.
If a 24-hour urine sample is needed:
For an infant, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on the infant. For males, place the entire penis in the bag and attach the adhesive to the skin. For females, place the bag over the labia. Diaper as usual over the secured bag.
This procedure may take a couple of attempts -- lively infants can move the bag, causing the urine to be absorbed by the diaper. Check the infant frequently and change the bag after the infant has urinated into it. Drain the urine from the bag into the container provided by your health care provider.
Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion.
The health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test.
Drugs that may decrease the level of chloride in the urine chloride include:
Drugs that may increase the level of chloride in the urine chloride include:
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of a disturbance in your body's fluid level or acid-base balance. It may be used to help determine the causes of hypokalemia, and to aid in the diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis.
The normal range is 110 to 250 milliequivalents per day (mEq/day). This range depends greatly on the amount of salt and fluid you consume.
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
Increased urine chloride levels may be caused by:
Decreased urine chloride levels may be due to:
Urinary chloride
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 116.
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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