Chloriderbcscnc
This test measures the amount of chloride inside your red blood cells to help evaluate your electrolyte balance and acid-base status.
{"Measures chloride levels inside red blood cells","Helps assess electrolyte and acid-base balance","Used to diagnose conditions affecting chloride metabolism","Collected via a routine blood draw","Abnormal results may indicate kidney, lung, or metabolic disorders"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 2073-5
- Short code
- CL-RBC
- Synonyms
- Chloride RBC-sCnc
- Category
- electrolyte
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Lavender-top (EDTA) tube or green-top (heparin) tube for whole blood collection
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 45
- Ref high
- 60
- Critical range
- 50 not specified – 130 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Ion-selective electrode (ISE) measurement following red blood cell hemolysis
- CPT
- 82436
- SNOMED
- 271436006
- Specimen volume
- 2-3 mL of whole blood
- Stability
- Process specimen within 2-4 hours of collection. If delay expected, separate plasma/serum within 1 hour and freeze at -20°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Red Blood Cell Chloride test measures the concentration of chloride, an important electrolyte, inside your red blood cells. Chloride is a negatively charged ion that plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's fluid balance, acid-base equilibrium, and electrical neutrality. Unlike serum chloride which measures chloride in the liquid part of blood, this test specifically evaluates chloride within the cells themselves, providing more detailed information about cellular electrolyte status.
During the test, a healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where specialized equipment measures the chloride content inside the red blood cells. The results are typically expressed as millimoles per liter (mmol/L) of packed red blood cells.
Reference range
45-60 mmol/Lnot specified
No special preparation required; collect in heparinized tube and prepare packed RBCs promptly
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
The red blood cell chloride test provides valuable information about electrolyte metabolism and cellular function. Abnormal levels may indicate various conditions including kidney disease, certain metabolic disorders, respiratory alkalosis, or conditions affecting chloride balance such as vomiting, diarrhea, or diuretic use. This test is often used in conjunction with other electrolyte measurements to get a complete picture of the body's mineral balance and acid-base status.
Frequently asked questions
Why is red blood cell chloride tested instead of just serum chloride?
Do I need to fast before this test?
What do high red blood cell chloride levels mean?
What do low red blood cell chloride levels mean?
Is this test dangerous or painful?
Sources
- 1
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy