The total blood calcium test is used to measure the total amount of calcium in the blood. Calcium is one of the most important minerals in the body. Most of the calcium in the body is stored in the bones.

The body needs calcium to maintain the health of bones and teeth... In addition, calcium is necessary to maintain the proper functioning of nerves, heart and muscles... Since calcium is very important for many body functions, its level must be within a certain range.

Another blood calcium test, called an ionized blood calcium test, measures the amount of "free" calcium in the blood. "Free calcium" refers to calcium that is not bound to any proteins and is not associated with blood anions...

In addition to these two blood calcium tests, the level of calcium in the urine can also be measured.

Applications and purpose of blood calcium test

A doctor will usually order a blood calcium test as part of a routine metabolic panel during a general physical examination.

If you have symptoms of low or high calcium levels, your doctor may order a calcium blood test.

If your doctor suspects kidney disease, parathyroid disease, cancer, or malnutrition, he may also order a calcium blood test.

Preparation for calcium test

Your doctor may ask you to fast or stop taking certain medications or supplements before the test. These medications can include:

• Lithium
• thiazide diuretics
• Antacids containing calcium
• Vitamin D supplements
Calcium supplements

Make sure your doctor knows about the medications and supplements you are taking so he can give you proper instructions before the test.

In addition, consuming large amounts of food or drinks containing calcium can increase blood calcium levels and affect test results.

How to do calcium test

To perform the test, a blood sample is taken from your arm.. A needle is inserted into a vein in your arm and a small amount of blood is collected into a tube.. The blood draw should take less than 5 minutes.... You may feel a slight pressure when the needle is inserted into your arm.

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Calcium test results

In general, the normal reference range for blood calcium testing in adults is between 8.6 and 10.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). This range can vary from lab to lab.

To interpret your personal test results, you should always consider the reference ranges when reporting your test results.

What does high calcium level mean?

Test result values ​​that are above the reference range are considered high.. Having a blood calcium level higher than normal is called hypercalcemia.

Symptoms of high calcium levels can include the following:

• fatigue or weakness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal pains
• Urine frequency
• Having constipation
• Excessive thirst
• Bone pain

Diseases that can lead to increased calcium levels can include the following:

• Primary hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) or certain types of cancer (together these account for 80-90% of cases of hypercalcemia)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
• Kidney or adrenal gland failure
• Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that causes tumors called granulomas in the body
• Staying in bed or being immobile for a long time
Medicines such as lithium and thiazide diuretics
• Excessive consumption of calcium or vitamin D through supplements

If you have hypercalcemia, your doctor will try to identify and treat the cause of the high calcium level.

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What does low calcium level mean?

When the test result values ​​are lower than the reference level, it is considered low... A low blood calcium level is called hypocalcemia.

Usually, hypocalcemia occurs when too much calcium is excreted in the urine or not enough calcium is absorbed from the bones into the blood.

Symptoms of low calcium levels include:

• Abdominal or muscle cramps
• Tingling sensation in the fingers
• Irregular heartbeat

Some possible causes of hypocalcemia are:

• Hypoparathyroidism (hypoparathyroidism)
kidney failure
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Calcium absorption problems
• Certain medications such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, and rifampin (an antibiotic)
• Deficiency of calcium or vitamin D in the diet
• A low blood albumin level, possibly due to malnutrition or liver disease, where the total calcium level may indicate a true hypocalcemic state

The doctor may treat hypocalcemia using calcium supplements and sometimes vitamin D supplements.... If an underlying disease is the cause of hypocalcemia, he will also take steps to identify and treat it.

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Last word

The blood calcium test measures the total amount of calcium in the blood.

Your doctor may order this test as part of a routine metabolic check-up or based on specific symptoms you have... If you have symptoms of low or high calcium, be sure to see your doctor.

In many cases, low or high results have easily treatable causes.. In other cases, a more complex treatment plan may be needed to address underlying conditions.. Talk to your doctor about your options.. They will take steps to identify and treat the disease or condition that affects calcium levels.

To perform this test without going to the lab, request an on-site test from GCORP LLC.