Mecija, Kathleen Diane B.

BSMT-ME3-0

I-

INTRODUCTION
Chloride is the major extracellular anion. It is involved in maintaining osmolality, blood
volume and electric neutrality. Chloride shifts secondarily to a movement of Na or HCO 3. Clingested in the diet is almost completely absorbed by the intestinal tract. Cl - is then filtered out by
the glomerulus and passively reabsorbed, in conjunction with Na + by the proximal tubules. Excess
Cl- is excreted in the urine and sweat. The only anion that serve as an enzyme activator. Marked
hemolysis may caused decreased levels of chloride due to dilutional effect. Slightly lower values
are observed in post prandial specimen. Low serum levels are observed in conditions with high
HCO3 levels.

II-

METHOD

III-

PRINCIPLE
Chloride ions in serum displaces thiocyanate ions from the mercuric thiocyanate forming
mercuric chloride which is only very slightly ionized. The liberated thiocyanate ions reacts with ferric
ions to form the orange-yellow thiocyanate complex which is measured at 480-492 nm. The color
intensity is proportional to the chloride concentration.

IV-

PROCEDURE
Reagent
Standard
100mmol/L
Test/ Sample

Standard
50l

Sample
---

---

50l

Chloride reagent
1500l
1500l
Mix well and read %T/absorbance of each tube at 492 nm against Water Blank.
After one minute, colorimetric endpoint binochromatic. 1 minute against water
blank.

V-

CALCULATION
|of |Unknown
100 mmol / l
|of |Standard

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REFERENCE RANGE
Serum: 96-110 mmol/l
CSF: 125-135 mmol/l
Urine: 170-255 mmol/l

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CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
HYPERCHLOREMIA
o Renal tubular acidosis
o Diabetes insipidus
o Salicylate intoxication
o Primary hyperparathyroidism
o Metabolic acidosis
o Prolonged diarrhea

HYPOCHLOREMIA
o
o
o
o

Prolonged vomiting
Aldosterone deficiency
Metabolic alkalosis
Salt-losing nephritis

VIII- RESULT