Calcium

This page deals with the interpretation of blood values that can be obtained from a blood test

Synonyms

  • Calcium
  • Calcium
  • Hypercalcaemia
  • Hypocalcaemia
  • Muscle cramps
  • Tetani

Function

Like potassium, sodium or chloride, calcium-calcium is one of the body’s essential salts. The regulation of the calcium balance is closely linked to the phosphate balance. Various organs and hormones are involved in the regulation of calcium. To be mentioned here:

  • The small intestine, in which calcium absorption takes place
  • The bones, in which calcium is stored in large quantities
  • The kidney, which regulates calcium excretion
  • The parathyroid gland with the parathyroid hormone (PTH)
  • Vitamin D

Determination method

The calcium level is determined in blood plasma or blood serum. A blood sample is necessary for this. Other electrolytes in the blood can also be determined.

Standard values

Calcium is present in blood serum in three different forms:

  • Free calcium (50% of total calcium)
  • Protein-bound calcium (especially bound to albumin, a blood protein – 45% of total calcium)
  • Anion bound calcium (especially the phosphate, citrate and bicarbonate – 5% of total calcium)

Standard values: Total calcium – 2.20 – 2.65 mmol/l Ionized calcium – 1.15 – 1.35 mmol/l

Blood value increase

An increase in serum or plasma calcium concentrations above 2.65 mmol/l is medically called hypercalcaemia. Causes of hypercalcaemia can be Further information will follow in the near future.

  • Vitamin D overdose
  • Kidney DiseaseKidney Failure
  • Primary hyperparatyroidism, in most cases a benign growth of the parathyroid gland.

    One of the so-called epithelial bodies produces too much parathyroid hormone. As a result, more calcium is reabsorbed from the small intestine and kidney.

  • Vitamin A Overdosage Vitamin A is partially used in dermatology for acne therapy. The high-dose vitamin A. Gabe can lead in individual cases to an increase of the calcium value in the blood.