Hyperchloremia
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| Hyperchloremia Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | E87.8 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 276.9 |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2] Phone:617-525-6884
Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [3] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
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.
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's breathing, weakness, and intense thirst.
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.
Differential Diagnosis
- 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 anastamosis
Treatment
As with most types of electrolyte imbalance, the treatment of high blood chloride levels is based on correcting the underlying cause.
- If the patient is dehydrated, therapy consists of establishing and maintaining adequate hydration.
- If the condition is caused or exacerbated by medications or treatments, these may be altered or discontinued, if deemed prudent.
- If there is underlying kidney disease (which is likely if there are other electrolyte disturbances), then the patient will be referred to a nephrologist for further care.
- If there is an underlying dysfunction of the endocrine or hormone system, the patient will likely be referred to an endocrinologist for further assessment.
References
External links
Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
