The ionized calcium blood test is used to diagnose, monitor, or screen for certain conditions that may affect the circulatory system, the kidneys, the nervous systems, or the bones and teeth. It is often part of a routine health screening as it is considered part of the comprehensive metabolic panel and the basic metabolic panel. Most people who are given this blood test will have normal results reported.
When Is This Test Ordered?
The ionized calcium blood test is typically ordered when they are experiencing the symptoms of very high or very low calcium levels. Most people do not experience any of these symptoms until their calcium levels are extremely out of range, so the test results may be very dramatic. Outside of the annual exam that most people have, a medical provider may also order this test for the following reasons.
A suspicion of high calcium levels.
Someone who is experiencing unusual thirst, high levels of urination, fatigue, weakness, and a loss of appetite may have high calcium levels that can be detected on this blood test.
A suspicion of low calcium levels.
Low levels of calcium can result in muscle cramping, abdominal cramping, tingling fingers, and muscle twitches. These symptoms are also common symptoms of serious diseases like MS or ALS and the stress of looking them up online can enhance the physical symptoms felt.
Kidney disease.
Low calcium levels are very common when someone is suffering from kidney failure.
Thyroid disorders.
Certain diseases, including cancer, have been associated with high and low levels of calcium. The most common reason is because of an issue with the thyroid gland.
The most common reason for low calcium levels in patients today is when someone has numbness around their mouth and in their extremities. Involuntary muscle twitches are also common in these areas. These can by symptoms of low calcium levels and easily fixed.
The ionized calcium blood test is also commonly ordered when certain cancers have been diagnosed. This includes lung, breast, and kidney cancers. Multiple myeloma and various head and neck cancers also affect calcium levels. Kidney transplant recipients will also have this blood test ordered as a monitoring tool.
What Do the Blood Test Results Mean?
A common misconception is that the ionized calcium blood test is used to measure the calcium levels of a person’s bones. It is not. This blood test measures the amount of calcium that is regularly circulating within the bloodstream. Half of the calcium in the blood is bound to proteins, so the ionized blood test is used because it can measure the free calcium amounts.
Most people will have a normal result from this blood test. This means their calcium metabolism is functionally normally and their calcium blood levels are being regulated as needed.
High Calcium Levels
If there is a high total calcium level, which is called hypercalcemia, then there are two common causes behind the condition.
1. Hyperthyroidism.
This usually begins as a benign tumor of the parathryoid gland. The high calcium levels are usually just slightly out of range, so the issue can remain unnoticed for several years in some patients.
2. Cancer.
Several cancers can cause high calcium levels in the blood because they cause the bones to release calcium into the blood. Some cancers also produce a hormone that results in higher calcium levels.
Certain diseases such as tuberculosis or lifestyle habits like excessive Vitamin D intake can also contribute to high calcium levels. Because of 75% of kidney stones contain calcium in them, it is important to diagnose this condition right away.
Low Calcium Levels
The most common cause of having calcium levels that are too low is malnutrition. It is commonly caused by alcohol abuse. People who are acutely ill may also have a temporarily low calcium level on the ionized calcium blood test. Magnesium deficiencies have also been known to cause low calcium readings.
Other conditions, such as an inflammation of the pancreas, kidney failure, or an under-active parathyroid gland may also cause low calcium levels to occur.
The Ionized Calcium Blood Test Requires Special Handling
A total calcium blood test is more commonly ordered because the ionized test requires special care and handling for accurate results. It is usually conducted in a hospital setting only. It is a particularly important test for people who are facing surgery and are severely ill because it gives a more complete picture of their condition.
Only a medical provider can tell you what your specific ionized calcium blood test results mean in relation to your medical history. Use this guide to ask questions about your results so that you can have a complete picture of your overall health.