Having low levels of chloride in bloodstream is referred to as hypochloremia and it indicates an electrolyte imbalance. In normal situations, chloride levels are between 97 and 107 mEq/L and when they go below that point, they could implicate on a number of functions in the body like the acid-base balance. Chloride is an electrolyte that works along with other electrolytes like potassium and sodium to maintain the body’s metabolism. The kidneys regulate the chloride levels in the blood, so when there is an interruption in chloride levels, it could indicate a problem with the kidneys.
The common source of chloride in body is table salt or sodium chloride, but you may also find it in seaweeds like dulse and kelp. Other sources of chloride are prickled and processed foods. Foods items like seasonings, fish, dairy products, meat products, tomatoes, lettuce, and celery also have considerable amounts of chloride.
Sometimes, low levels of chloride in an individual’s body may indicate a serious problem like lung disease, heart failure, and Addison’s disease. In Addison’s disease, the adrenal glands don’t release sufficient hormones and a person may have symptoms like dizziness, weakness, dehydration, and weight loss.
Low Chloride in Body – Causes
You may have low chloride levels in both blood serum as well as extracellular fluid. Although deficiency in chloride is rare, if other body functions or ailments are causing reduced chloride levels, it may result in various problems. Having chronic low chloride levels may lead to problems like low fluid volume within the serum, metabolic alkalosis, and urinary potassium loss.
The common causes of low chloride levels or hypochloremia in the body are loss of fluids due to prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, and sweating. Drugs like corticosteroids, laxatives, bicarbonate, and diuretics may also lower chlorine levels in an individual’s body.
Other causes of low chloride levels include:
- Fluid loss due to injuries and burns
- Eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa
- Acute severe malnutrition
- Severe dietary insufficiency
- Genetic diseases
- Cystic fibrosis
- Drinking too much water
- Congestive heart failure
- Bartter’s syndrome
- Salt-wasting nephropathy
- Malabsorption disorders
Low chloride levels may also be caused by congenital chloride diarrhea. This disorder occurs when there is mutation within the SLC26A3 gene. The mutations affect the production of intestinal SLC26A3 protein something that contributes to impaired exchange of Cl-/HCO3- ions. When the mutation occurs, it leads to diarrhea associated with chloride and sodium as well as depletion of fluid that leads to reduced concentration of these ions in blood serum.
Symptoms of Low Chloride Levels
It is not likely that you will notice symptoms when you have hypochloremia unless you have been experiencing the low chloride levels persistently for an extended time or the levels are very low. However, you may notice issues such as fluid loss, dehydration, and elevated blood sodium levels. Already if you have hypochloremia, you may be having other forms of body fluid loss such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Diagnosing Low Chloride Levels through Blood Test
When serum or blood chloride test is conducted, the levels will be less than 97 mEq/L. At the same time, the blood pH could be more than 7.45 and serum carbon dioxide may rise above 32 mEq/L.
A chloride blood test in most cases is ordered to detect if there are abnormal concentrations of the ion. In a majority of the cases, it is ordered together with other electrolytes. If there is an imbalance of the acid-base component in body, a doctor may want to get tests for blood gases. The additional tests help evaluate the cause and severity of the imbalance.
Blood chloride test may not be ordered by itself and in most situations, it is ordered as a component of basic metabolic panel, electrolyte panel, or comprehensive metabolic panel. These tests are frequently ordered during a routine physical and as part of routine physical intended to screen different health conditions. A person may have the tests if it is suspected that they have alkalosis or acidosis, or when an individual has an acute illness presenting with symptoms like weakness, prolonged vomiting, prolonged diarrhea, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.
If a person is taking certain medications that may be suspected to bring about electrolyte imbalance, blood chloride tests may also be ordered at regular intervals. Electrolyte panels are mainly ordered to help monitor treatment of some health problems like liver disease, kidney disease, heart failure, and high blood pressure.
Also, urine chloride test may be ordered together with urine or blood sodium when a doctor is evaluating a patient of low blood chloride levels. A doctor will check whether the measurements or changes in chloride levels mirror the ones of sodium. This way, it helps the doctor to establish whether there is an acid-base imbalance. It also helps the doctor to determine the kind of treatment to offer to the patient.
Treatment of Low Chloride Levels
If an individual’s chloride levels aren’t within the normal range, it may not necessarily indicate a medical problem. There are many things that affect the levels of chloride in blood. To treat a patient of low chloride levels, the best option is administration of saline through intravenous method. This helps to correct the electrolyte imbalance.
If a patient has metabolic alkalosis, ammonium chloride is usually administered. Remember that metabolic alkalosis can be life threatening and prompt medical treatment is required. Depending on what is causing the electrolyte imbalance, other treatment options may be considered. Consuming foods that are moderately high in chloride may help prevent hypochloremia.
