Chloride - urine
Key points
- The chloride urine test measures the amount of chloride in urine.
- A spot urinary chloride test or a 24-hour urine chloride sample may be needed.
- No special preparation is necessary for this test, but if the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary.
- The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Alternative names
Urinary chloride
Definition
The chloride urine test measures the amount of chloride in urine.
How the test is performed
A spot urinary chloride test or a 24-hour urine chloride sample may be needed.
Your health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test. A 24-hour urine test is performed as follows:
- On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you get up in the morning.
- Afterwards, collect all urine in a special container for the next 24 hours.
- On day 2, urinate into the container when you get up in the morning.
- Cap the container. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period. Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.
In infants, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on the infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Diaper as usual over the secured bag. This procedure may take a couple of attempts - lively infants can displace the bag, causing the specimen to be absorbed by the diaper. The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated into the bag. The urine is drained into the container for transport to the laboratory.
Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion.
How to prepare for the test
No special preparation is necessary for this test, but if the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary.
How the test will feel
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Why the test is performed
Cl- is the major extracellular negative ion in the body. Its main purpose is to maintain electrical neutrality, mostly as a counter-ion to sodium. It often accompanies sodium losses and excesses. It also affects acid-base balance. That is, as CO2 (carbon dioxide) increases, bicarbonate moves from inside the cells to the outside. Then, to maintain electrical neutrality, more chloride tends to enter cells.
Because of its relationship with other electrolytes, urinary chloride results can be used to help assess volume status, salt intake, causes of hypokalemia, and to aid in the diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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