What is a Calcium Blood Test?

Calcium serum test or blood calcium test is to be aware of the total quantity of calcium present in the blood. Two types of calcium are present in the body: free and bound. Bound calcium is bound to a protein such as albumin, whereas free calcium or ionized calcium is present and bioavailable for the body to utilize.

Two broad groups of blood calcium tests are:

  • Total Calcium Test: total calcium blood test measures free and bound calcium in blood. Most commonly ordered and usually included in the standard metabolic panel.
  • Ionized Calcium Test: Measured only free, biologically active calcium. May be ordered if total calcium is abnormal or more specific results are desired, e.g., pre-op or critically ill.
Doctors use the test to measure calcium metabolism, evaluate follow-up bone disease, and diagnose other diseases that cause abnormal calcium.

Why is the Calcium Blood Test Done?

There are a number of clinical situations where a measurement of calcium is required. The test may be ordered by your doctor to evaluate for abnormal calcium or follow up with some chronic disease that emerges.

calcium blood test uses:

  • Diagnose hypercalcemia
  • Diagnose hypocalcemia
  • Used as calcium deficiency test
  • Stimulate function of the parathyroid gland, which plays an important role in calcium homeostasis
  • Screen geriatric population for bone
  • Test patients with established chronic kidney disease
  • Test patients with some types of cancer, e.g., breast cancer or multiple myeloma
Screen for the nonspecific presentations of repeated muscle cramping, confusion, or paresthesias of the fingers

What is the Preparation for a Calcium Blood Test?

In general, no specific calcium test preparation is required for a calcium blood test. If, however, it is part of a panel with glucose or lipid testing, an 8- to 12-hour calcium test fasting required by your doctor.

  • Inform your doctor about all the medications and supplements taken, particularly calcium or vitamin D supplement, antacids, diuretics, and thyroid or heart medication. They might alter the result.
  • Loose, comfortable clothing, loose-sleeve top blouse, or short-sleeve top blouse so that drawing of blood will be simple.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise or calcium foods on the day of the test, if advised by your physician.
  • Always go in the correct direction by your health care provider.

Calcium Blood Test Procedure

Calcium blood test procedure is a simple, harmless test where a blood sample is drawn from a vein, usually the bend of your elbow or the back of your hand.
It is what one will be doing while he/she is taking the test:

  • A clean area will be set up by a health worker using an antiseptic solution.
  • A tourniquet is tied around your arm above the elbow in order to cause your veins to swell with blood.
  • A very thin needle will be put in the vein to draw out the sample of blood.
  • The sample is placed in a vial and mailed to a lab for testing.
  • The test itself takes just a few minutes and is extremely painless other than that little prick or sting you feel when they insert the needle.
  • Once you've had a sample taken, you can again go about normal activity unless you are told otherwise.

What to Expect After the Test

The puncture site will be painful or become slightly bruised after venipuncture and for up to two days. No care is normally necessary after the procedure in most cases.
Some aftercare consists of the following:

  • Use firm pressure with a bandage or cotton pad if there is minimal bleeding.
  • Drink lots of fluid so that the body will heal in sufficient time.
  • Do not lift weights at all on the test arm for several hours in case you experience pain.
Side effects are experienced by most individuals very rarely, and you can resume your usual activities after the test is completed.


Interpreting Results of Calcium Blood Test

Adults' usual amounts of calcium range from 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL total calcium and 4.6 to 5.3 mg/dL for ionized calcium. The calcium blood test report will differ slightly.
Low calcium levels symptoms, or hypocalcemia symptoms are:

  • Numbness and tingling of hands and feet
  • Spasm or cramping of muscles
  • Fatigue
  • Dry skin and brittle nails
  • Forgetfulness or confusion
Hypocalcemia results from vitamin D deficiency, renal failure, pancreatitis, or hypoparathyroidism.
High calcium levels symptoms, or Hypercalcemia, however, can lead to:

  • Frequent urination
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Drowsiness or confusion
Hypercalcemia results from overactive parathyroid glands, certain cancers, too much calcium supplement consumption, or too prolonged immobilization. Your doctor will order additional tests if your calcium blood test level is out of calcium blood test normal range. He will then begin treatment to find out why.

Medical Conditions Diagnosed with Calcium Blood Test

There are certain medical disorders that get detected or treated by means of calcium tests. These include:

  • Bone disease and osteoporosis: Calcium tests bone density and bone strength.
  • Kidney disease: Kidney disease can lead to calcium imbalance.
  • Parathyroid gland disease: Parathyroid glands regulate calcium; disease can lead to abnormal levels of calcium.
  • Vitamin D deficiency: Vitamin D enables the body to absorb calcium.
  • Thyroid and adrenal disease: Both indirectly affect calcium metabolism.
  • Some cancers: Bone-cancer or hormone-secreting tumors alter calcium.
  • Pancreatitis and liver disease: Both reduce absorption of calcium or increase excretion.

Calcium Blood Test vs. Calcium Score Test

Even though they have the same name, the calcium blood test and the calcium score test are very different in procedure and use.
The calcium blood test gives a measure of calcium in your blood at the first three to check metabolic status, bone status, and parathyroid function.
Or, calcium score test is a highly sophisticated imaging test, probably a CT scan, to measure calcium accumulation in coronary arteries. It is to forecast risk of coronary artery disease or heart attack.

Calcium Blood Test Price in Pakistan

The calcium blood test cost in Pakistan is different according to the hospital and the diagnosis center. The complete calcium blood test is from PKR 700 to PKR 1,500. The price of the ionized calcium test as a target and comparatively less frequent test is from PKR 1,500 to PKR 2,500.

Pricing is city and lab quality and whether the test is part of a panel of tests or is performed individually. It is advisable to phone your local laboratory or hospital in trying to call around for any questions regarding pricing and availability of the test.

Book lab tests from the best-certified labs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, and get a discount of up to 35%. For assistance, call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the right lab test for your health needs.