A chloride blood test measures the amount of chloride in your blood. Chloride is a type of electrolyte. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that help control the amount of fluids and the balance of acids and bases in your body.

SPECIMEN: 2 mL (1 mL min.) Serum from 1 SST OR 2 mL (1 mL min.) Plasma from 1 Lavender Top (EDTA) tube OR 2 mL (1 mL min.) Body Fluid / CSF in a sterile screw capped container. Ship refrigerated or frozen. Specify type of fluid (Serum/Pleural/Ascitic/ CSF etc.) on test request form and sample container. Hemolysed samples are not acceptable.

STABILITY: Room: 8 hrs; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 3 weeks

REPORT: Daily

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Nil.

USAGE: Chloride is the major extracellular anion which is used along with sodium & potassium to assess electrolyte, acid-base & water balance. Chloride levels change in the same direction as sodium except in cases of Metabolic acidosis with bicarbonate depletion & Metabolic alkalosis with bicarbonate excess, when serum sodium levels are normal.