Calcium (Ca) in Blood

Blood Calcium

What To Think About

• More than one blood test may be needed to see whether blood calcium levels are too high.
• Low blood levels of calcium may be caused by low levels of protein (albumin) in the blood, because about half of all calcium in the blood is attached to albumin. For this reason, an ionized calcium level (which is not attached to albumin) and a blood albumin level may also be measured. For more information, see the medical test Total Serum Protein.
• Other tests that may be done to find the cause of abnormal blood calcium levels include blood tests for parathyroid hormone (PTH), chloride, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and vitamin D. For more information, see the medical tests Parathyroid Hormone and Alkaline Phosphatase.
• Since calcium affects how the heart works, a high or low blood calcium level may be the cause of abnormal results on an electrocardiogram (EKG) test. A blood calcium test will be done to help find the cause of the abnormal EKG results.
• Calcium levels can also be checked in the urine. For more information, see the medical test Calcium (Ca) in Urine.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: January 10, 2007
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
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