Medically reviewed by Jane Kim, MD
A chloride blood test is a blood test that determines how much chloride is in your body. Chloride is an electrolyte—and electrolytes are electrically charged minerals. They help your body maintain a healthy amount of fluid and balance your pH level.
In most cases, a chloride blood test is part of a routine blood screening to check your general health. Your healthcare provider may recommend checking your electrolytes to evaluate your risk of kidney disease, liver disease, or heart disease. A phlebotomist (a healthcare provider who specializes in blood draws) usually conducts a chloride blood test and sends your sample to the lab for testing.
The purpose of a chloride blood test is to measure the amount of chloride in your blood. Too much or too little chloride could mean that you have a chronic health condition that affects your kidneys, liver, or heart.
Chloride is an electrolyte that affects the balance of fluid and acidity in your blood. Your provider may recommend checking your electrolytes if you have symptoms of a fluid imbalance. These symptoms may include:
A chloride blood test is usually part of a routine blood screening. You do not need to fast before the blood draw. But, knowing what to expect before, during, and after the test can help you feel prepared when you go in for your appointment.
When you arrive at the clinic or lab for your blood draw, you will check in at the registration desk. You may be asked to fill out a screening questionnaire or sign a consent form. Once it is time for your appointment, a phlebotomist will bring you back to an exam room and show you where to sit. You’ll be asked to place your arm on a desk or table. The phlebotomist may also place a small pillow under your elbow to keep your arm straight.
To perform the blood draw, your phlebotomist will wrap a thin rubber strip called a tourniquet around your upper arm. This will feel tight and may be slightly uncomfortable. Once your provider locates a vein, they will use a small needle to puncture the vein and place the needle inside. They will then fill up a tube or syringe with blood. You may feel a pinch or stinging sensation from the needle. But, the entire appointment should take less than five minutes.
Once your provider has obtained enough blood for the test, they will remove the needle from your arm and place a cotton ball or piece of gauze over the site. They will press down on the area to help stop the bleeding and then place a bandaid over the area. As long as you are feeling well, you will be free to leave after the test. If you tend to faint or feel lightheaded with blood draws, let your provider know. Do not leave or drive home until you feel back to normal.
When the test is complete, your phlebotomist will send the sample to the lab for testing. A chloride test is usually part of an electrolyte panel that tests the levels of chloride, potassium, and sodium in the blood.
Fortunately, a chloride blood test is considered very low risk. Possible risks include mild pain or bruising at the site. These symptoms usually resolve on their own within a couple of days.
A chloride blood test is a quick and simple medical test. However, if you're feeling anxious about the blood draw, knowing what to expect may help. Consider the following:
Results from a chloride blood test are usually ready within 24 hours. If your results are abnormal, your healthcare provider will likely call you to discuss them. If your results are normal, your provider may send the results to you in the mail or through an electronic medical record.
Too much or too little chloride in the blood may indicate a serious health problem.
A high level of blood chloride may mean you have one of the following health conditions:
If your blood chloride levels are too low, it may be a sign of one of these health conditions:
Certain medications may cause abnormal chloride levels.
A chloride blood test is a routine test that measures how much chloride is in your blood. Chloride is an electrolyte that helps the body to balance fluids and pH levels. During a chloride blood test, a phlebotomist locates a vein on the inside of your elbow, then uses a small needle to draw a sample of blood. They then send the sample to a lab for testing. Too much or too little chloride in the blood may mean that you are at risk of kidney disease, heart disease, or liver disease, among other conditions.
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2024-03-23T12:33:02Z dg43tfdfdgfd