Electrolytes (cont.)
Chloride
Chloride is the major anion (negatively charged ion) found
in the fluid outside of cells and in the blood. An anion is the negatively charged
part of certain substances such as table salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) when
dissolved in liquid. Sea water has almost the same concentration of chloride ion
as human body fluids. Chloride also plays a role in helping the body maintain a
normal balance of fluids.
The balance of chloride ion (Cl-) is closely regulated by the body.
Significant increases or decreases in chloride can have deleterious or even
fatal consequences:
- Increased chloride (hyperchloremia): Elevations in chloride may be seen in diarrhea, certain
kidney diseases, and
sometimes in overactivity of the parathyroid glands.
- Decreased chloride (hypochloremia): Chloride is normally lost in the
urine, sweat, and stomach
secretions. Excessive loss can occur from heavy sweating, vomiting, and adrenal gland and
kidney disease.
The normal serum range for chloride is 98 - 108 mmol/L.
Bicarbonate
The bicarbonate ion acts as a buffer to maintain the
normal levels of acidity (pH) in blood and other fluids in the body. Bicarbonate
levels are measured to monitor the acidity of the blood and body fluids. The
acidity is affected by foods or medications that we ingest and the function of
the kidneys and lungs. The chemical notation for bicarbonate on most lab reports
is HCO3- or represented as the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2). The normal
serum range for bicarbonate is 22-30 mmol/L.
The bicarbonate test is usually performed along with tests for other blood electrolytes.
Disruptions in the normal bicarbonate level may be due to diseases that interfere with respiratory function, kidney diseases, metabolic conditions, or other causes.
Last Editorial Review: 11/14/2008
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