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Chlorides in the blood
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Reference values (norm) for chloride concentration in blood serum are 98-107 meq/l (mmol/l).
The total chlorine content in the body of a healthy person weighing 70 kg is approximately 2000 mmol, i.e. 30 mmol/kg. Chlorine is the main extracellular cation. In the body, it is mainly in an ionized state, in the form of salts of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc. Chlorine plays an important role in maintaining acid-base balance (between plasma and erythrocytes), osmotic balance (between blood and tissues), water balance in the body, activates amylase, and participates in the formation of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice.
Under physiological conditions, changes in chlorine concentration are secondary to changes in other electrolytes and are primarily aimed at creating electroneutrality of the environment: if the bicarbonate content increases, the chlorine content decreases; when sodium increases, chlorine increases. Uncompensated hyperchloremia leads to metabolic acidosis. Chlorides are excreted from the body mainly with urine (90%), as well as with sweat and feces. Chlorine metabolism is regulated by hormones of the adrenal cortex and thyroid gland.
Disruption of chlorine metabolism leads to the development of edema, insufficient secretion of gastric juice. A sharp decrease in the chlorine content in the body can lead to a serious condition, up to and including coma with a fatal outcome.
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