What is a chloride blood test?

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 number of fluids and the balance of acids and bases in your body. Chloride is often measured along with other electrolytes to diagnose or monitor conditions such as kidney disease, heart failure, liver disease, and high blood pressure. A chloride test is not normally given as an individual test. You usually get a chloride test as part of a routine blood screening or to help diagnose a condition related to an imbalance of acids or fluids in your body.

Why do I need a chloride blood test?

Chloride blood test usually comes as part of an electrolyte panel, which is a routine blood test. An electrolyte panel is a test that measures chloride and other electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate. You may also need a chloride blood test if you have symptoms of an acid or fluid imbalance, including:

• Vomiting over a long period of time
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Dehydration
• Trouble breathing