Calcium is one of the most significant and essential minerals in your body. It not only helps in the working of your nerves and your muscles but also checks the functioning of your heart.
Calcium tests are often used to measure the total amount of calcium present in your body. A regular calcium test is important for you to check your health. These tests are quite affordable. The calcium test price ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 250, depending on the type of test. The calcium test price, quality, and availability differ from city to city.
Types of Calcium Tests
Several calcium blood tests are performed at home or under the supervision of a doctor in a healthcare facility. These tests ensure you have the proper levels of calcium in your body. The two common calcium tests are:
- Total Calcium Test
This test is performed to get an idea of the total calcium in your body attached to specific proteins in your blood. This test is commonly taken during a routine blood screening test called Basic Metabolic Panel.
- Ionized Calcium
The Ionized Calcium test is performed to calculate the calcium, which is not attached to any other proteins in your body. It only measures the calcium present in your body that is free or not bound to any anion in your body.
Usage and Purpose of the Calcium Test
A doctor prescribes a calcium blood test in case of high or low calcium levels. Your doctor may also prescribe you a calcium test if you show symptoms of kidney disease, thyroid disease, cancer, or malnutrition. A calcium test helps you check in on your health. It makes sure your body holds the right amount of calcium. It detects if you have a high or low amount of calcium in your body and whether you need any timely medical help.
The procedure of a Calcium Test
Before commencing the procedure of a calcium test, your doctor might suggest you stop using some medications. Those medications might include lithium, Vitamin D supplements, or calcium supplements. These medications increase the percentage of calcium in your body which can directly affect the test results. It is prescribed to ensure the accuracy of the amount of natural calcium in your body.
A phlebotomist or any healthcare practitioner can carry out the calcium test. The healthcare provider draws a certain amount of blood from the vein in your arm by first disinfecting the area and then injecting a syringe. The needle might pinch a little, but the wound is immediately covered with a cotton ball. This procedure takes less than 5 minutes. Your blood is collected in a small tube. Your blood sample is then sent to the laboratory to carry out the required test on analyzers. Generally, the test results are provided within two days.
Normal Range of Blood Calcium Levels
You must be aware of the normal range of blood calcium levels in your body to analyze your calcium test reports. The average level of calcium present in the body of an adult ranges from 8.6 and 10.2 milligrams per deciliter. However, the range might differ from one laboratory to another. You will find a reference to the range of normal calcium levels in your test report, which will help you analyze the calcium level in your body.
Your test results will indicate if you have high or low calcium levels.
High Calcium Levels
The numbers which fall above the normal range of blood calcium in an adult body indicate that you have high calcium levels in your body, which is a condition known as hypercalcemia.
The symptoms of having high calcium levels include:
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Abdominal Pain
- Constipation
It indicates that you might be suffering from some disease like:
- Kidney issues
- Hyperthyroidism
- Sarcoidosis
- Paget’s disease of the bone
Low Calcium Levels
The numbers that fall below the normal range of blood calcium in an adult body indicate a severe deficiency of calcium in the body. This condition is often referred to as hypocalcemia.
The following are the symptoms of low levels of calcium in your body:
- Abdominal cramps
- Sensation or tingling in your fingers, tongue, or lips
- Muscle aches and spasms
- Irregular heartbeat
These symptoms might indicate that you are suffering from a disease, such as
- Pancreatitis
- Hypomagnesemia
- Renal failure
- Hypoparathyroidism
However, if your calcium test results reveal that you have high or low levels of calcium present in your body, it does not necessarily mean that you might be suffering from some disease or a serious medical condition. Poor diet and certain medications can also affect the percentage of calcium in your body. But you must see a doctor before arriving at any conclusion by yourself. An expert opinion is quite important in cases like these.
Both conditions of high or low calcium levels can be treated with ease. In extreme cases, you might have to undergo a proper treatment procedure to address the underlying issue.
