Serum Calcium Blood Test | Ionized Calcium Blood Test | Total Calcium Blood Test |

A calcium blood test measures the amount of calcium in your blood.

Test uses and purpose

Its Ordered for various reasons

As part of a routine metabolic panel during a general physical examination.

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

if they suspect that you have kidney disease, parathyroid disease, cancer, or malnutrition

There are two types of calcium blood tests

First is Total calcium test

It measures all the calcium in your blood.

That is bound Calcium and free calcium


2nd is... ionized calcium test...

measures only the "free calcium"

Its usually ordered if the results of a total calcium test aren't normal.

Results and interpretation

Normal Ranges

Calcium in serum) ...8.6-10.3 mg/dL
Calcium in ionized form is... 4.4-5.2 mg/dL

calcium higher than normal may be a sign of ....

hyperparathyroidism

Cancer spreading to bone

Paget's disease

Taking too much vit D

calcium lower than normal may be a sign of ....

Low blood protein levels,

(hypoparathyroidism),

Too little calcium in your diet

Too little vitamin D

Pancreatitis

Kidney disease