Chloride - plasma or serum
Last updated: Thursday, 08, April, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in lithium heparin or plain tube. |
| Method | Spectrophotometry, coulimetry or ISE. |
| Reference Interval | 95-110 mmol/L. |
| Application | To assess the possible cause of acid-base disturbances, including calculation of the anion gap. |
| Interpretation | Hyponatraemia and metabolic alkalosis are associated with hypochloraemia. Hypernatraemia and metabolic acidosis, due to renal tubular acidosis or bicarbonate loss, are associated with hyperchloraemia. An increased anion gap indicates accumulation of an anion other than chloride (eg, lactate, hydroxybutyrate); this usually occurs with metabolic acidosis. |
| Reference |