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Calcium

Category:

Calcium


Description

Calcium is an important mineral in the body. It helps the proper functioning of muscles, nerves, and the heart and is required in blood clotting and in bones building. About 1% of calcium is found in the blood. Half of it is freely circulating in the bloodstream. The other half (“bound” calcium) is attached to albumin and other compounds.

There are two tests to measure blood calcium. Total calcium test measures both free and bound forms. Ionized calcium test measures only the free form.

Blood calcium is tested to diagnose and monitor a range of problems relating to the bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, and teeth.


Calcium concentration is measured by means of analysis of a blood sample drawn from the vein in the arm.  

As some calcium is filtered out daily by the kidneys, a calcium test in urine can also be indicative of how the kidneys are working.


Purpose of the test

To determine the concentration of calcium in the blood (or urine).

This test is prescribed as part of a routine metabolic panel, in persons with kidney, bone, or nerve disease.

Measuring urine calcium can monitor whether the kidneys are filtering out the proper amount of calcium, and testing for vitamin D, phosphorus, and/or magnesium can help determine whether other problems exist.
Measuring calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) can help determine whether the parathyroid gland is working properly.


Reference range values

2.05 - 2.5mmol/L


Abnormal findings

Hypercalcemia (High Total Calcium) can be caused by:
• Hyperparathyroidism, an increase functioning of parathyroid gland
• Cancer, when it spreads to the bones.
• Hyperthyroidism
• Sarcoidosis
• Tuberculosis
• Prolonged immobilization
• Excess Vitamin D intake
• Kidney transplant
 
Hypocalcemia (Low Total Calcium) can be caused by:
• Low levels of blood protein, especially albumin. In this case Ionized calcium remains normal.
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Inherited resistance to the effects of parathyroid hormone
• Extreme deficiency in dietary calcium
• Decreased levels of vitamin D
• Magnesium deficiency
• Increased levels of phosphorus
• Pancreatitis
• Renal failure
• Malnutrition
• Alcoholism

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