Blood Calcium

Contents:

Medical Video: What is hyperparathyroidism? Causes, diagnosis, and treatment explained

Definition

What is blood calcium?

A blood calcium test checks the body's calcium levels which are not stored in the bones. Calcium is the most common mineral and one that is important for the body. The body needs it to build and repair bones and teeth, help work nerves, help muscles, help blood clots, and help the heart work. Almost all calcium in the body is stored in bones.

Generally the blood calcium levels are carefully controlled. When blood calcium levels are low (hypocalcemia), bone secretes calcium to restore normal levels of calcium in the blood. When calcium in the blood is high (hypercalcemia), the excess calcium stored in the bones will be removed from the body through urine and feces. The amount of calcium in the body depends on the amount:

  • the calcium you get from food
  • calcium and vitamin D are absorbed by your digestion
  • phosphate in the body
  • certain hormones, including parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and estrogen in the body

Vitamin D and these hormones help control the amount of calcium in the body. They also control the amount of calcium you absorb from food and that you remove from the body through urine. Phosphate levels in the blood are closely related to calcium levels and both work opposite: when blood calcium is high, phosphate levels decrease, and vice versa.

It is important to get the right amount of calcium in your food because the body loses calcium every day. Foods that are rich in calcium include dairy products (milk, cheese), eggs, fish, green vegetables, and fruits. Most people who have high or low calcium levels do not experience any symptoms. Very high or low calcium levels are needed to cause symptoms.

When do I have to take blood calcium?

Calcium blood tests can be part of screening for various diseases and conditions, including osteoporosis, cancer, and kidney disease. This blood test can also be needed to monitor ongoing treatment for other conditions, or to check for unwanted side effects of the drugs you are taking. Your doctor may file this test if you suspect the following conditions:

  • bone diseases, such as osteoporosis or osteopenia
  • cancer
  • chronic kidney disease or liver
  • abnormalities of the parathyroid gland
  • malabsorption or abnormalities that affect the body in absorbing nutrients
  • overactive or passive thyroid gland

Prevention & warning

What should I know before taking blood calcium?

Newborns especially those who are premature and underweight, are usually monitored during the first few days after birth for neonatal hypocalcemia using a calcium ionization test. This can occur because the parathyroid gland has not developed and symptoms do not always appear. This condition can be resolved by itself or requires treatment with calcium supplements, given orally or intravenously. Measurement of calcium in the blood and urine cannot explain the amount of calcium in the bone. Tests that are similar to X-rays, called bone density or "dexa" scans, are used for this purpose.

The thiazide diuretic drug is the most commonly used drug-induction for high calcium levels. Lithium or tamoxifen can also increase a person's calcium levels.

Process

What should I do before taking blood calcium?

Do not use calcium supplements for 8 to 12 hours before taking a blood calcium test. The doctor will tell you to temporarily stop using some drugs that can affect the test. These drugs include:

  • calcium salt (can be found in nutritional supplements or antacids)
  • lithium
  • thiazide diuretic
  • thyroxine
  • vitamin S

What is the process of blood calcium?

The medical personnel who are in charge of taking your blood will take the following steps:

  • wrap an elastic belt around your upper arm to stop the blood flow. This makes the blood vessels under the bond enlarge making it easier to inject needles into the vessels
  • clean the part to be injected with alcohol
  • inject a needle into a vein. More than one needle may be needed.
  • attach the tube to the syringe to fill it with blood
  • remove the ties from your arms when taking blood is enough
  • attach gauze or cotton to the injected part, after the injection is finished
  • put pressure on the part and then put on a bandage

What should I do after taking blood calcium?

Elastic ties are wrapped around your upper arm and will feel tight. You may not feel anything when injected, or you may feel like being stung or pinched.

If you have questions relating to the process of this test, consult your doctor for a better understanding.

Explanation of Test Results

What do the test results mean?

Normal value

Normal values ​​can vary slightly in each laboratory. Some laboratories use different measurements or types of tests. Talk to your doctor about the purpose of your test results.

Total Calcium
Adult8.8–10.4 miligrams per deciliter (mg / dL) or 2.2–2.6 millimoles per liter (mmol / L)
Children6.7–10.7 miligrams per deciliter (mg / dL) or 1.90–2.75 millimoles per liter (mmol / L)

Normal blood calcium values ​​in older people are lower. Normal blood calcium values ​​are higher in children because their bones grow rapidly. Calcium ionization tests check the amount of calcium that is not bound to proteins in the blood. The level of ionization of calcium in the blood is not affected by the amount of protein in the blood.

Ionization of Calcium
Adult:4.65–5.28 mg / dL or 1.16–1.32 mmol / L
Children:4.80–5.52 mg / dL or 1.20–1.38 mmol / L

High value

High calcium values ​​can be caused by:

  • hyperparathyroidism
  • cancer, including cancer that has spread to the bone
  • tuberculosis
  • lying too long after a broken bone
  • Paget's disease

Low value

Low calcium values ​​are caused by:

  • low levels of albumin protein in the blood (hypoalbuminemia)
  • hypoparathyroidism
  • high levels of phosphate in the blood, caused by kidney failure, use of laxatives, and other things
  • malnutrition caused by celiac disease, pancreatitis, and alcoholism
  • osteomalacia
  • ricket

Depending on the laboratory of your choice, the normal range of blood calcium tests can vary. Discuss the questions you have about the results of your health test with your doctor.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Blood Calcium
Rated 5/5 based on 2900 reviews
💖 show ads