REASON FOR TESTING OF CALCIUM TOTAL AND CALCIUM IONIZED
Routine testing of calcium is done:
- To evaluate metabolism of thyroid along with parathyroid
gland.
- It help to diagnose conditions that affect the bones,
nerves, kidneys, heart and teeth
- To monitor people with chronic renal failure,
hyperparathyroidism, and certain types of malignancies
- Ionized calcium is ordered in patients with numbness
around the mouth and in hand and feet.
WHAT IS BEING TESTED IN CALCIUM TOTAL AND CALCIUM IONIZED
Calcium being abundant and important
minerals in the body is essential for cell signalling and the
proper functioning of muscles, nerves, and the heart. It is needed
for blood clotting and is crucial for the formation and maintenance
of bones.
Total calcium- measures the bound and
free form of calcium in blood.
Ionized calcium- measures the
metabolically active form of calcium in blood.
INTERPRETATION OF CALCIUM TOTAL AND CALCIUM IONIZED TEST RESULT
Hypercalcemia
(increased calcium level)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Prolonged immobilization
- Excess vitamin D intake
- Thiazide diuretics
- Tuberculosis
Hypocalcaemia
(decreased calcium level)
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Chronic renal failure
- Magnesium deficiency
- Alcoholism
- Drugs like diuretics
- Hypoparathyroidism
CALCIUM TOTAL AND CALCIUM IONIZED REFERENCE RANGE
Serum calcium - 8.5 - 10.2 mg/dL
Serum Ionized calcium - 4.4 -5.4
mg/dL
CALCIUM TOTAL AND CALCIUM IONIZED RELATED TEST
Vitamin D levels-helps to rule out most common cause of
calcium deficiency. (Link vitamin D)
