Why chloride levels are low

Metabolic alkalosis high blood pH is a result of [ 28 ]:. Some causes of metabolic alkalosis include [ 3 , 4 ]:. Infusion or intake of high volumes of sodium bicarbonate causes blood alkalosis and may lead to chloride being exchanged for bicarbonate to maintain blood neutrality [ 31 ].

Because the blood concentration of positively charged electrolytes must equal that of negatively charged electrolytes, conditions that cause the loss of sodium and potassium often result in low blood chloride levels [ 29 ]. Cystic tissue scarring is a hereditary disorder characterized by the following symptoms [ 36 ]:. Regarding electrolyte balance, cystic tissue scarring causes low blood levels of chloride , sodium, and potassium, and high levels of bicarbonate [ 23 ]. The main symptoms of this disorder are [ 37 ]:.

Congenital chloride diarrhea is a rare genetic disease characterized by the production of watery diarrhea with high chloride concentration. It causes dehydration, metabolic alkalosis, and low levels of blood chloride , sodium, and potassium. The condition is due to defects in the bowel chloride and bicarbonate transporter SLC26A3 [ 42 , 43 ]. This syndrome is characterized by reduced water elimination, continued production or action of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, and low blood sodium and chloride levels [ 44 ].

The disease is caused by activating mutations in the vasopressin receptor AVPR2, which leads to the excessive accumulation of water [ 45 ]. A relationship between low blood chloride levels and increased death rate has been demonstrated in several studies on:. Similarly, low blood levels of chloride, sodium, and albumins due to malnutrition reduced the survival of HIV patients taking antiretroviral therapy in a study on over African women [ 56 ].

The incidence of kidney injury increased in patients with low blood chloride levels in a study on over people undergoing contrast-enhanced tomography [ 57 ]. In another study on over critically ill people, low blood chloride was a risk factor for the development of kidney injury [ 58 ]. The most important thing is to work with your doctor to treat any underlying conditions causing your low chloride levels.

The additional strategies below are other things that you may try if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate. Note : By writing this section, we are not recommending changes in your medication schedule. We are simply providing information that is available in the scientific literature. Please discuss your medications with your doctor. On the other hand, the following drugs may lower blood chloride levels and reduce metabolic alkalosis:. Your doctor may review your medications and recommend dosage adjustments or medication changes based on your symptoms.

Additional foods with relatively high chloride contents include [ 67 , 68 ]:. People can usually manage hyperchloremia with lifestyle changes. Individuals who notice that their symptoms are not improving or are getting worse, however, should contact their doctor immediately.

Seizures, loss of consciousness, and other serious symptoms may indicate kidney or liver failure. Hyperchloremia is a symptom, not a diagnosis. So people must discuss with their doctors the most likely cause. For most people, treating the underlying cause of hyperchloremia can restore normal electrolyte levels.

People should continue testing electrolyte levels as advised by their doctor, since sudden changes may indicate a problem. Many automatic processes in the body run on small electric currents, and electrolytes provide this charge. Electrolytes are present throughout the…. What are metabolic disorders? Read on to learn more about these conditions, their causes, and how they affect metabolism. Hypokalemia occurs when a person has too little potassium in their blood.

Symptoms can include low blood pressure and muscle twitching. Read on to…. Intensive exercise boosts communication between skeletal muscles and fat tissue, fine-tuning metabolism and improving performance, a recent study…. Lipodystrophy is a rare condition that causes unusual fat accumulation on the body. There is no cure, but the management of complications can help. All you need to know about hyperchloremia. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. What is it? Symptoms Causes Treatment Prevention Takeaway Hyperchloremia is a disorder in which a person has too much chloride in their blood.

Share on Pinterest Usually, high levels of chlorine in the blood is discovered during tests for electrolyte levels. Hypochloremia can also frequently accompany hyponatremia , a low amount of sodium in the blood. Since the levels of electrolytes in your blood are regulated by your kidneys, an electrolyte imbalance such as hypochloremia may be caused by a problem with your kidneys.

Learn the basics of kidney health and kidney disease. Certain types of drugs, such as laxatives, diuretics , corticosteroids, and bicarbonates, can also cause hypochloremia. Hypochloremia, along with other electrolyte imbalances, can be caused by chemotherapy treatment. The side effects of chemotherapy can include:. These side effects can contribute to a loss of fluids. Fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea can lead to an electrolyte imbalance.

Your doctor can diagnose hypochloremia by performing a blood test to check your chloride level. The amount of chloride in your blood is measured as a concentration — the amount of chloride in milliequivalents mEq per liter L. The normal reference ranges for blood chloride are below. Values below the appropriate reference range may indicate hypochloremia:. If your doctor suspects metabolic alkalosis, they may order a urine chloride test and urine sodium test.

This will help your doctor determine what type of acid-base imbalance is present. If your hypochloremia is due to problems with your kidneys or an endocrine disorder, your doctor may refer you to a specialist. You may receive intravenous IV fluids, such as normal saline solution, to restore electrolytes to normal levels. Your doctor may also request that you have your electrolyte levels tested regularly for monitoring purposes.