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CLINICAL MIND  > LABORATORY TESTS    
   
 
    Calcium
  
 

 

 

 Calcium is an essential mineral required for the normal growth. It is used in building and repairing of bones and teeth. It is also essential for the functioning of the nervous system, muscle contraction, clotting of blood, and proper heart functioning. The maximum part of calcium is stored in the bones and only a small amount is present in blood.

Deficiency of calcium affects bone and tooth formation, and its overretention causes kidney stones. Our body uses Vitamin D to absorb calcium. Long-term calcium deficiency results in osteoporosis, in which bones start deteriorating and become prone to fractures. Calcium also assists in the production of lymphatic fluids.

A test for calcium in the blood is recommended to measure calcium level in the body. This test helps to diagnose various conditions related to bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, and teeth. Blood calcium level test does not directly determine the amount of calcium in bones, but it calculates the total amount of calcium circulating in the blood.

Calcium test helps to diagnose various health symptoms, such as kidney stones, bone diseases, neurological disorders, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and frequent urination. It enables the doctors to diagnose your health problems by comparing the calcium test results with other tests.

In the calcium test, your doctor monitors the balance among various elements, such as calcium, PTH, vitamin D, phosphorus, and magnesium in the body. The calcium level imbalances can cause hyper or hypocalcaemia.

The direct calculation of free or ionized calcium is critical for major surgeries, which include transfusion of blood or blood products. This is more important in case of critical patients having abnormal protein levels. The fluctuations in free calcium level can cause fluctuations in heartbeat and muscular spasms. It can even lead to confusion or coma.

 
  
 
   

 

 
 
Did you know that...
Abbreviations are one of the most common, preventable, sources of medical errors.
 
 

 

 

 

     
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

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