Definition
What Chloride measures
Chloride is the major negatively charged electrolyte in blood. It moves with sodium and shifts opposite bicarbonate, tying it to both hydration and acid-base balance.
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Kidney & electrolytesEssentialCompletemmol/L
Chloride
Sodium's counterpart in fluid and acid balance
Illustrative sample band · Synthetic
102mmol/L
95Sample target 99–106 mmol/L109
Why it matters
How clinicians usually read it
On its own it is rarely a headline; read with sodium and CO2 it helps classify hydration shifts and acid-base patterns.
When it reads low
A lower value can mean
A low chloride can follow vomiting, some diuretics, or overhydration. It is interpreted with the electrolytes around it, not alone.
When it reads high
A higher value can mean
A high chloride can accompany dehydration or certain acid-base shifts. The pattern across the panel matters more than the single value.
Questions for a clinician
Bring the number into a real conversation
01
Does my chloride move in step with sodium and CO2, or against them?
02
Could a medication or GI symptoms explain a shift here?
03
Is this a stable baseline value for me?
Educational boundary
Educational information only. Displayed ranges are illustrative sample bands, not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for the contracted laboratory report and a qualified clinician.
See it as a sample result
The sample dashboard shows an illustrative reading, target band, and trend for Chloride.