Disorders and Drugs Associated with Altered Serum Chloride Levels
Increased Serum Chloride (Hyperchloremia)
Disorders
- Acidosis
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypernatremia
- Dehydration
- Eclampsia
- Renal failure (severe)
- Congestive heart failure
- Hyperventilation (especially due to neurogenic hyperventilation related to head injury)
- Cushing's syndrome
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Anemia
- Hypoproteinemia
- Serum sickness
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Excessive dietary salt
- Jejunoileal bypass
- Gastric carcinoma
Drugs
- Potassium chloride
- Ammonium chloride
- Acetazolamide (Diamox)
- Methyldopa (Aldomet)
- Diazoxide (Hyperstat)
- Guanethidine (Ismelin)
Decreased Serum Chloride (Hypochloremia)
Disorders
- Alkalosis
- Hypokalemia
- Hyponatremia
- Gastrointestinal loss (vomiting, diarrhea, nasogastric suction, fistula)
- Diuresis
- Hypoventilation (especially due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Acute infections
- Burns
- Heat stroke
- Fever
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Pyelonephritis
- Addisonian crisis
- Starvation
- Inadequate chloride intake
Drugs
- Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Thiazide diuretics
- Bicarbonate