Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hyperchloremia
Introduction
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Overview
Overview
Hyperchloremia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of the chloride ion in the blood. The normal serum range for chloride is 97 to 107 mEq/L. Hyperchloremia is defined as a chloride concentration exceeding this level.
Causes
Elevations in chloride may be associated with diarrhea, certain kidney diseases, and overactivity of the parathyroid glands. Hyperchloremia is often comorbid with diabetes or hyponatremia. Certain drugs, especially diuretics such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, hormonal treatments, and polypharmacy, may contribute to this disorder.
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Often hyperchloremia does not produce any symptoms. However, hyperchloremia is sometimes associated with excess fluid loss such as vomiting and diarrhea. If the sufferer is a diabetic, hyperchloremia may lead to poor control of blood sugar levels, causing them to become elevated. Hyperchloremia can be symptomatic with signs of Kussmaul breathing, weakness, and intense thirst.
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Classification
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References
Pathophysiology
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References
Causes
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Overview
Elevations in chloride may be associated with diarrhea, certain kidney diseases, and overactivity of the parathyroid glands. Hyperchloremia is often comorbid with diabetes or hyponatremia. Certain drugs, especially diuretics such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, hormonal treatments, and polypharmacy, may contribute to this disorder.
Causes
Causes by Organ System
| Cardiovascular | No underlying causes |
| Chemical / poisoning | Drugs |
| Dermatologic | No underlying causes |
| Drug Side Effect | No underlying causes |
| Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes |
| Endocrine | Hyperparathyroidism |
| Environmental | No underlying causes |
| Gastroenterologic | Ileul loops, Loss of pancreatic secretion, Prolonged diarrhea, Ureteral colonic anastomosis |
| Genetic | No underlying causes |
| Hematologic | No underlying causes |
| Iatrogenic | No underlying causes |
| Infectious Disease | No underlying causes |
| Musculoskeletal / Ortho | No underlying causes |
| Neurologic | No underlying causes |
| Nutritional / Metabolic | Dehydration, Hypernatremia, Metabolic acidosis |
| Obstetric/Gynecologic | No underlying causes |
| Oncologic | No underlying causes |
| Opthalmologic | No underlying causes |
| Overdose / Toxicity | Drugs |
| Psychiatric | No underlying causes |
| Pulmonary | Respiratory alkalosis |
| Renal / Electrolyte | Artifact (low anion gap), Dehydration, Hypernatremia, Metabolic acidosis, Nephrotic syndrome, Renal failure, Renal tubular acidosis, Respiratory alkalosis |
| Rheum / Immune / Allergy | No underlying causes |
| Sexual | No underlying causes |
| Trauma | No underlying causes |
| Urologic | Nephrotic syndrome, Renal failure, Renal tubular acidosis, Ureteral colonic anastomosis |
| Miscellaneous | No underlying causes |
Causes in Alphabetical Order
- Artifact (low anion gap)
- Dehydration
- Drugs
- Hypernatremia
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Ileul loops
- Loss of pancreatic secretion
- Metabolic acidosis
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Prolonged diarrhea
- Renal failure
- Renal tubular acidosis
- Respiratory alkalosis
- Ureteral colonic anastomosis
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Differentiating Hyperchloremia from other Diseases
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References
Epidemiology and Demographics
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Risk Factors
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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]