1300 307 990

Understanding Calcium: Importance and Blood Testing

Calcium holds a crucial role in maintaining optimal bodily functions. It is one of the essential minerals that contribute to the health of your bones and teeth, as well as the proper functioning of your nerves, muscles, and heart.

What is a calcium blood test?

During routine check-ups or for specific health concerns, your healthcare provider may recommend a calcium blood test to assess your calcium levels. Keep reading to learn more about this test and determine whether it is necessary for you.

A calcium blood test measures the amount of calcium in your blood. While about 99% of your body’s calcium is stored in your bones, the remaining 1% flows in the blood. If there is too much or too little in the blood, it may be a sign of a range of health issues such as bone disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions.

Types of calcium Blood tests

There are two types of calcium blood tests:

Total calcium: measures the calcium attached to specific proteins in your blood and is often part of a routine screening test called a basic metabolic panel. This test measures different minerals and other substances in the blood.

Ionized calcium: measures the calcium that is unattached or “free” from these proteins.Diagnosis

A medical professional will carry out a thorough history and physical examination, asking the patient about the frequency of urination and other symptoms. They may also ask you to undergo a number of tests such as urine analysis, ultrasounds, X-ray, STI tests or neurological tests.

Why might you need a calcium blood test?

While your health care professional may have ordered a blood test as part of a routine check-up, they may also order one if you experience the following symptoms:

Nausea and vomiting
More frequent urination
Increased thirst
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Tingling in the lips, tongue, fingers, and feet
Muscle cramps
Muscle spasms
Irregular heartbeat

Many people with high or low calcium levels do not have any symptoms. Your health care provider may order a test if you have a pre-existing condition that may affect your calcium levels. These include:

Kidney disease
Thyroid disease
Malnutrition
Certain types of cancer

What does a calcium blood test involve?

These kinds of blood tests involve a healthcare professional drawing blood from a vein in your arm. Blood draw involves minimal risk, and it is a routine procedure to be completed at a physician’s visit. It is often required that you fast before taking a globulin test. Many doctors ask you to not eat or drink anything for four hours prior to the test. Certain medications may impact the results of the test, and you should consult your doctor if you are taking any medications.

Results usually take several days up to one week to arrive, depending on the size of the laboratory where the test is completed. Your doctor will receive the results from this test, interpret them, determine what the next steps are, and relay all of this information to you.

What do the results mean?

If your results show higher than normal calcium levels, it may indicate:

Hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which your parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone
Paget’s disease of the bone, a condition that causes your bones to become too big, weak, and prone to fractures
Overuse of antacids that contain calcium
Excessive intake of calcium from vitamin D supplements or milk
Certain types of cancer

If your results show lower than normal calcium levels, it may indicate:

Hypoparathyroidism, a condition in which your parathyroid glands produce too little parathyroid hormone
Vitamin D deficiency
Magnesium deficiency
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Kidney disease

It is essential to become well-informed and educated regarding the options and treatment methods available to you. If you have any questions regarding calcium blood tests, or would like to book an appointment, please feel free to contact or call Dr Arianayagam’s office on 1300 307 990 and his staff will be able to assist.