Chloride Urine Test

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Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-24 (EDT)

See Also Lab Tests

Chloride is the main extracellular anion. The primary function of chloride is to maintain electrical neutrality, mostly as a salt with sodium. It helps maintain electrical neutrality by following sodium (cation) losses and accompanying sodium excess. For example, when aldosterone encourages sodium reabsorption, chloride follows to ensure electrical neutrality is maintained. Chloride also affects water balance since water moves with sodium and chloride. Chloride also serves as a buffer to assist in acid-base balance. A 24-hour urine collection for chloride is therefore useful to evaluate the electrolyte composition of urine to evaluate electrolyte and acid-base imbalances. This test is also useful in evaluating the effectiveness of diets with restricted salt.[1],[2]

Discussion

Patient Preparation

No specific preparation is required.

Interfering Factors

  • Factors which can cause increased levels:
  • dietary salt intake
  • Drugs: Bromides, diuretics, and steroids

Clinical Implications

Ranges

High levels indicate:

Low

  • Cushing's syndrome
  • Conn's syndrome
  • Steroid therapy
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Malabsorption syndrome
  • Prolonged gastric suction or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Pyloric obstruction
  • Diaphoresis
  • Reduced salt intake

Associated Tests

References

  1. Pagana Kathleen D., Pagana Timothy J., Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, Mosby, Inc
  2. Weatherby Dicken, Ferguson Scott. Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis: Clinical Laboratory Testing from a Functional Perspective, Bear Mountain