Chloride (CI)

Chemical Pathology

Notes

Chloride no longer forms part of the routine U&E profile but can be helpful in certain acutely unwell patients when investigating the cause of abnormal acid/base balance.

Sample requirements

For adults, blood taken into a 5mL gold top tube (or rust top for the Acute Unit)

For children, blood taken into a 3.5mL rust top tube

For neonates, blood taken into a 0.8mL minicollect lithium heparin tube. Please list the tests of particular interest so that some priority can be given to analysis if plasma volumes are small.

Storage/transport

Do not store. Send to the laboratory at ambient temperature the same day. (within 8 hours maximum)

Required information

Relevant clinical details.

Turnaround times

The assays are run throughout the day and night.

The in-lab turnaround time is normally less than 24 hours.

The test can be ordered as an urgent request.

Reference ranges

95–108 mmol/L

Further information

To learn more about chloride visit Lab Tests Online

Page last updated 07/05/2015