Chlorine in the blood: what are we talking about exactly?
Short lesson in chemistry. In its natural state, chlorine (chemical symbol: Cl) is a gas. There is therefore no chlorine in the blood (since blood is a liquid) but rather chloride (chemical symbol: Cl-). Chloride is an ion, that is, a small molecule charged (electrically) negatively.
” Chloride is mainly known as a component of our salt cooking: with the chemical formula Na + Cl-, table salt (or sodium chloride) consists of sodium (Na +) and chloride (Cl-) “explains Dr. François Blanchecotte, doctor of pharmacy.
Chlorine in the blood: what is it for? In a healthy person, there is a balance between the ions (therefore the charged molecules + or -) which are circulating in the blood: ” this hydro-electric or acid-base balance involves several molecules including sodium (Na +), potassium (K +) and chloride ions (Cl-) “developed Dr. François Blanchecotte. Chloride thus constitutes a witness of the acid-base balance of the organism.
To know. In the past, we carried out ionograms: ” this biological examination made it possible to measure the balance between the sodium, the potassium and chlorides: it is no longer done today, although it is still reimbursed by Social Security “emphasizes the specialist.
From now on, one carries out rather complete ionograms, which precisely study the blood level of sodium (Na +), potassium (K +) and chloride ions (Cl-), but also of proteins (globally negatively charged) and the alkaline reserve ” to obtain an accurate photograph at a time T of the hydro-electric / acid-base balance of the blood “.
And also… ” In the body, chloride ions (Cl-) are eliminated naturally via sweat and gastrointestinal secretions – in particular via hydrochloric acid which contributes to the digestion process and which has the chemical formula H + Cl- “adds Dr. François Blanchecotte.
Chlorine in the blood: what are the normal values?
Chlorine in the blood: under what circumstances is it measured? ” The blood test for chloride ions is rather done in an emergency context “Dr. François Blanchecotte immediately notes. In the event of significant blood loss (after a road accident, for example), hemorrhage (that is to say: significant bleeding), blockage preventing the exit of urine (vesicular blockage, for example) … it is a question of visualizing where is the acid-base balance of the blood.
Chlorine in the blood: what are the normal values? The level of chloride ions (Cl-) in the blood should be between 98 mmol / L and 107 mmol / L of blood. ” These values are stable, which means that they are the same in men and women, regardless of age. “remarked Dr. Blanchecotte.
To know. Chloride (Cl-) ions can also be measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid in which the brain and spinal cord bathe, ” for example to measure a loss of cerebrospinal fluid in an emergency setting “specifies the specialist. The normal values are then between 110 mmol / L and 135 mmol / L of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Hypochloremia (lack of chlorine in the blood) and hyperchloremia (excess chlorine in the blood): what does it mean?
Lack of chlorine in the blood (hypochloremia). When the blood is insufficiently concentrated in chloride ions (blood level below 98 mmol / L), it is calledhypochloremia.
” Hypochloremia results in alkalosis, i.e. blood abnormally concentrated in HCO3- (and insufficiently concentrated in carbon dioxide) “notes Dr. François Blanchecotte. At the origin of hypochloremia, there is generally a” digestive leak “: intense vomiting, severe diarrhea, urinary leaks (for example in connection with a poorly adapted diuretic treatment) …
Too much chlorine in the blood (hyperchloremia). When the blood is too concentrated in chloride ions (blood level higher than 107 mmol / L), it is calledhyperchloremia.
” Hyperchloremia results in acidosis, which is acidification of the blood “says the specialist. At the origin of hyperchloremia, there is usually a respiratory loss – for example: hypoventilation.
Thanks to Dr. François Blanchecotte, doctor of pharmacy and national president of the Union of Biologists (SDB).
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