Chloride
Cl, Serum
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB5132, SOFT: CL
Specimen Collection Criteria
FOR EC AND INPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:
Preferred Sample: One Light Green Top Plasma Separator Tube (PST)(Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)
Acceptable Sample: One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)
FOR PHYSICIAN OFFICE/OUTREACH SAMPLE COLLECTION:
COLLECT: One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)
Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.
See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer® collection.
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2–8°C or 36–46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection.
Preparation for Courier Transport
Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)
Rejection Criteria
Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.
In-Lab Processing
Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes and Microtainers® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20–26°C or 68–78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable
Red-top Tubes and Microtainers® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20–26°C or 68–78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable
Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20–26°C or 68–78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:
Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): 7 days
Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory
Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Performed
Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory.
Routine results available within 4 hours.
Reference Range
Serum: 98 – 111 mmol/L.
Royal Oak Only
Breast Milk (15 days to 15 months post-partum): 6.0-16.0 mmol/L.
Test Methodology
Potentiometric.
Interpretation
- Increased serum chloride levels are seen in dehydration, acute renal failure, renal tubular acidosis, diabetes insipidus, respiratory alkalosis, salicylate intoxication, and metabolic acidosis associated with prolonged diarrhea and bicarbonate loss.
- Decreased levels are seen in prolonged vomiting, salt-losing nephritis, Addisonian crisis, aldosteronism, SIADH, respiratory acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, overhydration, burns and congestive heart failure.
Clinical Utility
The quantitation of chloride aids in the diagnosis and treatment of electrolyte and metabolic disorders such as acidosis or alkalosis, dehydration, renal failure and hormone imbalance.
CPT Codes
82435
Contacts
Automated Chemistry Laboratory – RO
248-551-8065
Name: Automated Chemistry Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-8065
Chemistry Laboratory – FH
947-521-5252
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – FH
Location:
Phone: 947-521-5252
Chemistry Laboratory – GP
313-473-1807
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1807
Chemistry Laboratory – TR
248-964-8070
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-8070
Last Updated
11/3/2020
Microtainer® and Vacutainer® are registered trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company.
UroVysion® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories. ThinPrep® is a registered trademark of Hologic, Incorporated.
This directory currently reflects information only for specimens collected and/or processed at the
Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, and Troy campuses.