Calcium Blood Test - Why is this important for you?

Has your doctor ever told you to "let's do a test to check your calcium levels"? Or maybe you've heard about this test while trying to figure out why you're always feeling tired and lethargic. So, many people think that calcium is only important for bones. But the story is actually much deeper than that. Today, let's talk about this calcium blood test in a simple and friendly way.

What exactly is calcium? Why do we need it so much?

Simply put, calcium is the most abundant mineral in our bodies. As we all know, calcium is essential for keeping our bones and teeth strong. But that's not all. Calcium performs many other important functions inside our bodies.

• Strengthening bones and teeth: This is the most important and one we all know.
• Muscle contraction and relaxation: Every time you move an arm or leg, calcium helps with that.
• Narrowing and dilating blood vessels: Calcium also contributes to controlling blood pressure through this.
• Sending and receiving nerve messages: The complex process of carrying messages from the brain to other parts of the body is also essential for calcium.
• Hormone release: Calcium is also needed to produce hormones that control various functions in the body.
• Blood clotting: Calcium also helps in the process of stopping bleeding after an injury.

Just think, 99% of the total calcium in our body is stored in our bones. The remaining 1% is floating freely in our blood. But it is this small amount that does the very important work mentioned above.

There are two main ways in which calcium is found in the blood:

What time does the doctor recommend doing this test?

When you have a routine checkup, your doctor may include this calcium test. It is often done as part of a package of tests called a ``Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)`` or ``Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)``, which look at various chemicals in the body.

In addition, if you have or suspect any of the following medical conditions, your doctor may recommend a calcium test:

• Bone-related diseases: For example, osteoporosis.
• Cancer conditions: Especially breast, lung, kidney, head and neck cancers or conditions like `(Multiple Myeloma)`.
• Kidney or liver disease.
• Nervous system problems.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis).
• Parathyroid disease : In this condition, these glands in the neck produce too much or too little of the hormone that controls calcium, which can cause imbalances in the calcium levels in the blood.
• Problems absorbing nutrients from food.

Also, if there are any abnormalities on an electrocardiogram (EKG) test that checks your heartbeat, a calcium test may be done to find the cause.

What are the symptoms of changing calcium levels?

Sometimes, blood calcium levels can be high or low without any symptoms. However, some people may experience the following symptoms. It is important to be aware of these.

How should I prepare before the test?

This is very simple. You should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies) because some medications can affect the results of this test.

For example, your doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking the following medications a few days before the test:

• Some types of antacids to take for gastritis
• Some diuretics for blood pressure
• Medications for mental illness such as lithium
• Vitamin D supplements

What do the test results say?

When you get your blood test results, only your doctor can give you the best explanation for the values. Normal values ​​can vary slightly from lab to lab. You also need to compare these results with your overall health.

The normal range of calcium levels in an adult's blood should be:

• Total Calcium: 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL
• Ionized Calcium: 4.65 to 5.2 mg/dL

Causes of high calcium levels

• Hyperactivity of the parathyroid or thyroid gland
• Some types of cancer
• Sarcoidosis, a disease that causes lumps in various parts of the body
• Tuberculosis
• Being confined to bed for a long time
• Getting more vitamin D through food or supplements
• Some high blood pressure medications
• After a kidney transplant

Causes of Low Calcium Levels

• Decreased protein levels in the blood (especially albumin)
• Hypofunction of the parathyroid gland
• Low levels of magnesium and/or vitamin D in the body
• High phosphorus levels in the blood
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney Failure

If your calcium levels are abnormal, your doctor may recommend other tests to help determine the cause. For example, kidney function tests, parathyroid hormone levels, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels.