What are the normal blood calcium levels & calcium blood test results?
1. Why the human body needs calcium?
Calcium is one of the most critical minerals in the body, necessary for many vital functions. It is essential to muscular activation, blood clotting, regulating normal heart rhythms and nerve functions, and building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Having inadequate calcium statuses can put your body at risk, leading to weakness, and thinning bones and teeth, making them vulnerable to fracture and decay. In addition to bone health, some studies suggest that calcium with "vitamin D" may help protect against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
2. Understanding normal calcium levels & reference range
The normal blood calcium range in the body is 8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL, and this varies depending on age. Children, teens, and young adults typically have higher levels of calcium than people over 30 or 35 old. When we reach 35 years, calcium statuses should be below 10.2 mg/dl, and for those over 40, calcium statuses should not be above 10.0 or 10.1. The only way to accurately measure calcium is through a blood sample, this test is used to measure the calcium status in your blood. This test may also measure total blood calcium, which includes calcium that is stored in the bones. On the other hand, Reference range tests measure calcium statuses compared to what is considered healthy for a particular population. Low or high calcium statuses may indicate a medical condition or need for further testing.
High blood calcium levels can be caused by different things, such as a lack of vitamin D, certain medical conditions, certain medications, or the body's inability to absorb calcium properly. The two types of calcium blood quizzes are albumin, which measures the binding sites for calcium, and PTH, which measures the binding of calcium to proteins. If a person has abnormal calcium levels in their blood, they may require a blood examination as part of a routine health evaluation. The blood calcium test results should be within the normal range, and if not, further tests may be required to determine the cause of the high calcium status.
3. Are low calcium levels Harmful?
Calcium is called the building block of bones and teeth. It is a mineral that is essential for the proper functioning and development of our skeletal system. It is stored in bones, serves to control muscle contractions, and is required for the absorption of certain minerals. According to the Cleveland Clinic, severe hypocalcemia, absolutely lower calcium statuses, can cause a wide variety of symptoms such as tingling in your lips, tongue, fingers, or feet, muscle aches, muscle spasms in your throat (laryngospasm), stiffening and spasms of your muscles (tetany), seizures, and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia).
Moderate calcium deficiencies can produce symptoms such as muscle cramps in the back and legs, dry scaly skin, brittle nails, and coarse hair. They can also cause extreme fatigue, lack of energy, an overall feeling of sluggishness, and insomnia.
In addition, insufficient calcium levels can have many effects on the body, from weak nails and slower hair growth to fragile, thin skin, problems with vision and eye damage, dental problems, difficulty breathing, and poor mobility due to chronic muscle and bone issues.
4. Are high calcium levels an Indication of Disease?
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. It plays an essential role in many functions, including the proper functioning of muscles, the transmission of nerve impulses, and blood clotting. If the serum calcium concentration rises, it may suggest that the body is unable to absorb calcium or that the body is discharging a large amount of calcium from the bones. High status of calcium in your blood can harm your body by weakening your bones, causing kidney stones, and impairing the way your heart and brain work.
High calcium statuses in the blood can result in several signs. Kidneys may experience excessive thirst and frequent urination as they work to filter the extra calcium. The digestive system may become upset with nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Bone and muscle pain, as well as muscle weakness, can occur as a result of calcium leakage from the bones. The brain can become disoriented, shiftless, and tired, and depression can set in.
The cause of high calcium could be anything from certain medications to hyperparathyroidism. If a person's calcium status is too elevated, it could be due to increased calcium intake or reduced calcium excretion, or it could be due to other underlying medical problems.
5. What is Hypercalcemia?
Hypercalcemia is a calcium metabolism disease marked by higher-than-regular levels of serum calcium. Its symptoms may include abnormal blood levels of calcium and magnesium, additionally abnormal levels of albumin or immunoglobulins. Treatment of this condition usually involves medications to reduce the amount of calcium absorbed and to increase the reabsorption of calcium and other minerals in your body.
To diagnose hypercalcemia, your doctor may order a blood examination to measure proteins in your blood. The test outcomes may reveal an abnormal calcium level, additionally high levels of albumin or immunoglobulins. Calcium status greater than 10.5 mg/dl is deemed elevated.
Several factors can contribute to hypercalcemia, including overactive parathyroid glands, certain cancers, or disorders of calcium or vitamin D metabolism. Increased absorption of calcium in the intestines can cause hypercalcemia, increased release of calcium from the bones, and decreased excretion of calcium in the urine.
6. The Importance of Maintaining Normal Blood Calcium Levels
Testing the calcium in your blood helps with both early diagnosis and giving a benchmark level. You will be able to spot any dietary or lifestyle adjustments that are required to maintain your general bone health. For example, when you evaluate your calcium status alongside your vitamin D levels, both of which are essential for bone health.
A blood calcium test is used to measure the levels of calcium in the blood. Depending on the specific test outcomes, the doctor may order additional tests, such as a test to measure protein levels in your blood or a test to measure ionized calcium levels. In addition, certain protein levels in your blood may affect the outcomes, so it is important to order this test as part of a regular health checkup.
7. Understand what calcium blood test results mean
A blood examination or calcium status Test is an ideal way to monitor your calcium status and intake. These tests measure the calcium amount in your blood, assisting you in tracking your calcium consumption. This test will also provide a comprehensive overview of your calcium status, allowing you to make informed decisions regarding your calcium intake and supplementation.
Regular screening of your calcium status is essential to ensure that you stay within the normal range, as abnormally high or low calcium levels can harm your overall health and well-being. The results of this test will show how much calcium is in your blood and what the meaning of your specific test results is. Your doctor may also test your parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, as higher levels of PTH can increase serum calcium levels.
8. When a calcium blood test is performed?
Standard blood calcium levels are an important indicator of health and thus should be monitored frequently. However, it is essential to note that levels may fluctuate depending on a person’s activity level, age, gender, and dietary habits. The test findings can be used to identify and treat a wide range of medical conditions that can impact the body, so it is important to order this test from a qualified physician.
The calcium blood examination necessitates drawing the blood from a vein, which can then be used to measure the total calcium level in the blood. It is critical to get a calcium blood examination if you are having any signs of calcium deficiency or excess.
9. The total calcium blood test: Benefits & Limitations
The total amount of calcium in the blood is measured through calcium levels in your blood. This test measures the concentration of serum calcium, and for most adults, the total Calcium level should be within the reference range of 8.6 - 10.2 mg/dL. The body’s calcium is stored, but the exact calcium level may vary as reference ranges may change between different labs.
This test is used to check a person's overall calcium status within the reference range as calcium is an important mineral in the body, and too high or too low levels may affect overall health. The results of this test will indicate if the levels need to be within the normal range, and may be used to diagnose the cause of higher or lower calcium statuses. Additionally, an ionized calcium blood examination measures only the unbound calcium in the serum, which may be ordered if calcium statuses are too low or too high. Abnormal blood levels of albumin could be a sign of a calcium issue, and a test during a regular health checkup can determine if your calcium statuses need to be within the acceptable range.