MEDICINES
LAB TESTS
CONSULT DOCTORS
CANCER CARE
AYURVEDA
PARTNERSHIPS
CARE PLAN
Login
|
Signup
Order Summary
0 Test
PROCEED TO CART
Need Help?
How can we help?
Home
Calcium

Calcium

Also referred as
Serum Calcium
For men & women
Know more about this test

 

Calcium is a mineral in the body responsible for many vital functions like maintaining bone strength, muscles, nerve function, and blood clotting. Abnormal calcium levels can lead to several complications in the body, like kidney disease, bone disease, and multiple organ tumors.

An ongoing or past history of certain tumors, lung disease or side effects of medications can make a person more vulnerable to suffer from abnormal calcium levels.

Samples required
Blood 2
Find out
Why is this test booked?
Preparation for this test
Sample Collection
Who will collect your samples?

What does Calcium measure?

Calcium (Ca) Test measures the levels of calcium in blood. Calcium is essential for body processes including cell signaling, blood clotting, contraction of muscles, and functioning of nerves. It plays a crucial role in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. Deficiency of calcium results in Osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones lose their density and become soft and fragile, causing them to fracture very easily.

About 99% of the total amount of calcium received by the body is bound as calcium complex in bones, and the remaining 1% lies in blood circulation. Of the amount of calcium circulating in the blood, about half remains bound to albumin protein or other ions and are metabolically inactive, while the remaining half remains free and metabolically active. Blood Calcium tests can be of two types: Total Calcium Test used to measure the total calcium concentration in blood including both the free and bound forms, and Ionized Calcium Test used to measure the concentration of only the metabolically active form.

Calcium levels in the blood are maintained within a very narrow range by a number of mechanisms. Deviation from the normal range of calcium concentration causes Hypocalcemia (low levels of calcium), or Hypercalcemia (excess of calcium). Both these conditions impact normal body processes in the short term and may give rise to other conditions in the long term.

A blood calcium test cannot be used to check for a lack of calcium in your diet or for osteoporosis (loss of calcium from bones) as the body can have normal calcium levels even in case of dietary deficiency of Calcium. The body can augment mild calcium deficiency by releasing the calcium stored in bones.

FAQs related to Calcium

There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.
Hypocalcemia is a condition where the blood calcium levels are below the normal range. This may occur due to: · Low levels of blood protein, especially albumin · Hypoparathyroidism or reduced secretion of parathyroid hormones · Genetic resistance to parathyroid hormones · Dietary deficiency of calcium · Intolerance of dietary calcium · Vitamin D deficiency · Magnesium deficiency · High phosphorus concentration in blood · Acute pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas) · Hormonal changes in women after menopause · Renal failure · Alcoholism
Short term or mild deficiency of calcium usually produces very little symptoms. This happens because the body can augment mild calcium deficiency by releasing the calcium stored in bones. Symptoms appear in case of chronic or long term calcium deficiency. Symptoms of Hypocalcemia include: · Weak and brittle hairs · Brittle nails · Thin and brittle bones which fracture easily · Confusion · Memory loss · Numbness and tingling sensation · Muscle spasms and cramps · Depression · Hallucinations · Seizures
Hypercalcemia is the condition where blood calcium levels rise higher than the normal range. This may occur due to: · Hyperparathyroidism or increased secretion of parathyroid hormones · Hyperthyroidism or increased secretion of thyroid hormones · Prolonged period of immobility as in bed rest · Sarcoidosis, a condition that produces nodules in different organs · Tuberculosis · Overconsumption of Vitamin D · Treatment by thiazide diuretics · Kidney transplant · HIV/AIDS · Cancer
Symptoms of Hypercalcemia include: · Headache · Weakness and fatigue · Excessive urination and thirst · Nausea · Pain in abdomen · Constipation · Abnormal heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia · Weak and brittle bones · Muscular cramps · Depression and irritability · Confusion · Coma
Inform the doctor about any medications you may be taking. Some medications like antacids, diuretics, lithium, Vitamin D supplements, etc. can affect the test results and may have to be stopped before testing. No other preparations are required unless specified by your doctor.
False results may appear in newborns, showing hypocalcemia. This is usually due to immature parathyroid gland. False results may also appear after a large volume blood transfusion. Some medications can elevate or lower blood calcium levels.
Others tests that may be prescribed upon the appearance of an abnormal result in the blood Calcium test include: · Ionized Calcium Test · Urine Calcium Test · Vitamin D Test · Electrolyte Panel Test · Kidney Function Test · Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Test · PTH Related Peptide Test (PTHrH) · Electrocardiography (ECG)
Dietary sources form the principal source of calcium. Some very commonly available food items rich in calcium are: · Seeds and nuts · Milk and dairy products · Beans · Lentils · Green leafy vegetables
Osteoporosis is a disease where the bone density is drastically reduced, making them very weak, brittle, and easily susceptible to fracture. Symptoms do not usually appear until there is a fracture. Osteoporosis occurs mostly due to a continuous loss of calcium and insufficient dietary replacement. Calcium is required for nerve and muscle functioning, hence any shortage of it in blood is made up by supplying calcium from the bones. This loss of bone calcium causes the bones to lose bone mass and density, making them soft and brittle.
Content created by
Written by:
Dr. Lipika Khurana
BDS, PGDHHM
Reviewed by:
Dr. Swati Gupta (Anand)
MBBS, MD Lab Medicine
Want to know moreRead our editorial policy
Last Updated25th Oct 2023

Calcium test price for other cities

Price inAhmedabadRs. 209
Price inAllahabadRs. 209
Price inBangaloreRs. 209
Price inBhopalRs. 209
Price inChandigarhRs. 209

How does home sample collection work?

Easy online booking

Search for tests and packages, book a time and select address for seamless at-home lab tests.

Live tracking of phlebotomist

Stay informed with live tracking of our phlebotomist's location for seamless sample collection.

Safe collection

Our phlebotomists follow strict safety protocols to collect samples at home on time.

Sample received at lab

Your sample is bought to our laboratory for testing by our qualified experts.

Quick reports, free follow up

Reports are sent to your email. A free doctor follow up is provided to understand the report better

Download the Tata 1mg app. Trusted healthcare, at your fingertips.

Book tests, track reports, and get AI-powered health insights.

or
Contains 1 test
Calcium