BMP Test #6 - Chloride (Cl)

As part of our effort to decode the BMP (Basic Metabolic Profile), we'll take a closer look at the sixth test -- Chloride (Cl).

Electrolytes keep your body's fluids in balance. They also help keep your body working normally, including your heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function.

Chloride is one of the most important electrolytes in the blood. It helps keep the amount of fluid inside and outside of your cells in balance. It also helps maintain proper blood volume, blood pressure, and pH of your body fluids.

A test for chloride may be done to:

- Check your chloride level if you are having symptoms, such as muscle twitching or spasms, breathing problems, weakness, or confusion.
- Find out whether you have kidney or adrenal gland problems.
- Help find the cause for high blood pH. A condition called metabolic alkalosis can be caused by a loss of acid from your body (for example, from a loss of electrolytes through prolonged vomiting or diarrhea). You may also have metabolic alkalosis if your body loses too much sodium or you eat too much baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

The concentrations of sodium and potassium are tightly regulated by the body as is the balance between the four molecules. Electrolyte (and acid-base) imbalances can be present with a wide variety of acute and chronic illnesses. Chloride and CO2 tests are rarely ordered by themselves.


- a little lupie -