Calcium Ionized

(Ionic Calcium)

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

Overnight fasting is preferred.

Understanding Calcium Ionized

What is Calcium Ionized?

Calcium is a mineral found in the body responsible for many vital functions like maintaining bones strength, muscles, nerves function, and blood clotting. Ionized calcium is the free calcium floating in the blood and is metabolically active. Abnormal levels of calcium can lead to several complications in the body like kidney disease, bone disease, multiple organs tumors.

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

What is Calcium Ionized used for?

1. As a part of a complete metabolic panel (CMP) or basic metabolic panel (BMP)

2. If you have signs or symptoms suggestive of-

Kidney disease
Thyroid disease
Parathyroid disease
Malnutrition
High calcium levels such as constipation, abdominal pain, increased thirst or weakness
Low calcium levels, such as tingling fingers or muscle cramps

What does Calcium Ionized measure?

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. Ionized calcium provides a more physiologically accurate assessment of calcium, especially in the presence of high protein concentrations, hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism.

Interpreting Calcium Ionized results

Interpretations

High levels of calcium may be associated with hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, sarcoidosis, medicines like thiazide diuretcis and some tumors
Lower levels may be due to vitamin D deficiency, kidney failure, decreased absorption of calcium or bone disease.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Calcium Ionized

Frequently Asked Questions about Calcium Ionized

Q. What are the good sources of calcium?

Milk and other dairy products are the best sources of calcium. Various fruits and vegetables such as green leafy vegetables, broccoli, nuts, eggs and legumes are also great sources of calcium.