How to diagnose hypochloremia
Your doctor can diagnose hypochloremia by running a blood test to examine your chloride level. It would help to know that blood chloride is not the only factor tested. It will also be added to an electrolyte or metabolic panel. The level of chloride in your blood is measured as a concentration. That is milliequivalents (mEq) per liter (L). The standard reference ranges for blood chloride level are listed below. Values lower than the references may be a sign of hypochloremia:
- adults: 98–106 mEq/L
- children: 90–110 mEq/L
- newborn babies: 96–106 mEq/L
- premature babies: 95–110 mEq/L
If your healthcare provider thinks you have 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. The results of urine test are also given in mEq/L. The standard urine chloride test usually ranges from 25 to 40 mEq/L. If your chloride level is lower than 25mEq/L, it means you are losing chloride via cystic fibrosis or your gastrointestinal tract.