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Causes of increased and decreased chlorine in urine
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Hypochloruria (decreased chlorine in urine) develops as a result of the release of increased amounts of chlorine with sweat, vomit and through the intestines. Hypochloruria, as a rule, accompanies hypochloremia in diarrhea and vomiting of various etiologies, in febrile diseases. In pneumonia, as a result of the so-called "dry" retention of chlorine (due to the release of chlorine to tissues), its content in the urine decreases. Cardiovascular decompensation with the development of edema, inflammatory effusions, the formation of edema in kidney diseases are accompanied by "wet" retention of chlorine in the body (due to the transition of chlorine into the extracellular fluid), and hypochloruria also occurs.
Disruption of the endocrine regulation of water-electrolyte metabolism with increased function of the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland can be accompanied by hypochloruria with hyperchloremia as a result of the reabsorption of chlorine in the renal tubules.
Hyperchloruria (increased chlorine in urine) as a physiological phenomenon is possible with significant introduction of sodium chloride into the body. As a pathological phenomenon, hyperchloruria occurs less frequently and accompanies the processes of resorption of edema, exudates and transudates, while it occurs simultaneously with hyperchloremia. The recovery period in infectious diseases, pneumonia is accompanied by the release of chlorides and hyperchloruria.
There is no direct relationship between the chlorine content in the blood and its excretion in the urine.
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