# Chloride (Cl$^-$) --- **Chloride** (Cl$^-$) is an [[ion]] of calcium that is an important [[electrolytes|electrolyte]]. Chloride is mostly found it the [[body fluids|extracellular fluid]] where it helps maintain [[fluid volume balance]]. It is also a part of [[stomach acid]]. Chloride also helps [[white blood cells]] kill bacteria. >[!science] Normal value The normal value of Cl- is **98-106** mEq/L >>[!abstract]- Visualization >>![[metabolic panel values.png]] ## Elemental Chlorine When chlorine forms an ionic bond with [[sodium]] it forms NaCl, or table salt. We consume NaCl in out diets, where it dissociates into the electrolytes Na$^+$ and Cl$^-$. ## Hyper- & Hypochloremia - [[hyperchloremia]] - [[hypochloremia]] > [!question] The chloride/bicarbonate connection? >I can't find out *why* losing bicarbonate raises chloride levels, but just that it *does*. I wonder if it has something to do with [[tissue gas exchange|chloride shift]]? ___