Calcium (Blood)
Does this take a look at produce other names?
Complete calcium, ionized calcium
What is that this take a look at?
A calcium blood take a look at measures how a lot calcium is in your blood. Your healthcare supplier can use this take a look at to assist diagnose and watch many situations. There are two sorts of calcium blood exams. One is whole calcium and the opposite is ionized calcium. Ionized calcium measures the “free” calcium in your blood. That is the calcium not sure to different components of the blood.
Why do I want this take a look at?
Chances are you’ll want this take a look at in case your healthcare supplier is attempting to diagnose a wide range of issues. These embrace kidney illness, pancreatitis, and illness of the parathyroid gland. The parathyroid gland is positioned within the neck. It makes a hormone that controls calcium ranges in your blood. Calcium ranges may additionally be irregular in lots of sorts of most cancers. Your healthcare supplier may also order this take a look at as a part of a routine well being test.
A traditional calcium stage within the blood is an efficient signal that your physique is probably going working because it ought to. Calcium ranges which might be too low (hypocalcemia) or too excessive (hypercalcemia) can imply quite a few issues.
Individuals with irregular calcium ranges could not have any signs. Very low calcium ranges could cause seizures, irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms, or tingling within the palms or toes. Individuals with excessive calcium ranges could have nausea, vomiting, extreme thirst, or constipation. Your healthcare supplier will use the outcomes of a blood calcium take a look at to determine tips on how to deal with the underlying reason for any well being issues you could have.
What different exams would possibly I’ve together with this take a look at?
Calcium may be examined for quite a few causes. Different exams will fluctuate primarily based on what your healthcare supplier is on the lookout for.
Your supplier may additionally order exams to test kidney operate, vitamin D, phosphorus ranges, and parathyroid hormone. These exams may help work out what’s inflicting your irregular calcium ranges.
What do my take a look at outcomes imply?
Check outcomes could fluctuate relying in your age, gender, well being historical past, and different issues. Your take a look at outcomes could also be totally different relying on the lab used. They might not imply you’ve an issue. Ask your healthcare supplier what your take a look at outcomes imply for you.
A traditional vary of whole blood calcium in adults is normally between 8.5 and 10.3 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL). A traditional ionized calcium stage typically ranges between 4.6 to five.3 mg/dL.
How is that this take a look at achieved?
The take a look at is finished with a blood pattern. A needle is used to attract blood from a vein in your arm or hand.
Does this take a look at pose any dangers?
Having a blood take a look at with a needle carries some dangers. These embrace bleeding, an infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. When the needle pricks your arm or hand, you could really feel a slight sting or ache. Afterward, the location could also be sore.
What would possibly have an effect on my take a look at outcomes?
Quite a few issues can have an effect on the outcomes of a calcium blood take a look at. This take a look at is often achieved concurrently different blood exams to get a greater image of your general well being. Sure medicines, corresponding to sure sorts of diuretics, can change blood calcium ranges and have an effect on the take a look at outcomes.
How do I prepare for this take a look at?
You needn’t prepare for this take a look at. Ensure your healthcare supplier is aware of about all medicines, herbs, nutritional vitamins, and dietary supplements you’re taking. This contains medicines that do not want a prescription and any unlawful medicine you could use.