Medical providers will often order a PO4 blood test to measure phosphorus when other vitamins and minerals are being measured. The goal is to determine if there is a deficiency within the body that could be causing bothersome physical symptoms. It can also be used as part of the process to determine if there is a parathyroid issue which may need to be addressed. Most people will have the PO4 blood test ordered because there was an abnormal result on a previous calcium test.
Eating a meal before having this blood test can dramatically affect the results. Most medical providers will require overnight fasting when the PO4 blood test is ordered and there may be medication restrictions in place as well.
Why Will the PO4 Blood Test Be Ordered?
Many people can have slightly abnormal phosphorus levels consistently and never experience any physical symptoms because of it. Patients tend to arrive at the doctor’s office because they’ve been feeling muscle weakness, cramping, or fatigue that has become bothersome. That is why the calcium blood test is typically ordered first – those are primary symptoms of a calcium deficiency.
Phosphorus testing is also ordered to monitor certain kidney and digestive tract disorders. Once an abnormality in the PO4 blood test is discovered, regular testing will generally be ordered to monitor the condition and remain in place until levels stabilize. It may also be part of a diabetic treatment plan or may be ordered when an acid/base imbalance is suspected.
People who have uncontrolled diabetes that cannot be detected by other means for whatever reason may be able to have their condition diagnosed with this blood test. There may also be a timed urine collection required with the blood test to help supplement the results that are produced.
What Do the PO4 Blood Test Results Mean?
What If Your Test Results Come Back High?
Most people who have the PO4 blood test will have a result that comes back as normal or slightly abnormal. Test results that are higher than normal can indicate a number of different disorders. A medial provider may suspect any of the following conditions based on an individual’s unique medical history.
1. Kidney disease or liver failure.
2. Hyperparathyroidism.
3. Ketoacidosis due to diabetic mellitus when it is first observed.
What If Your Test Results Come Back Low?
It is more common to have a low test result from the PO4 blood test than a high result. Interestingly enough, health issues like diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperparathyroidism can also cause low phosphorus levels. There may be these additional health concerns evaluated with low test results as well.
1. Malnutrition, alcohol abuse, or too much calcium in the blood.
2. Severe burns.
3. Long-term antacid use, vitamin D deficiencies, or the overuse of diuretics.
What Are the Health Effects of Low or High Levels?
High levels of phosphorus require a much faster medical response than low levels. Too much phosphorus in the body can lead to calcification, which then creates organ damage. Calcium phosphate leaves deposits in organ tissues and causes them to stop functioning properly. In rare cases, it may even lead to heart disease.
Drinking too many sweetened carbonated beverages or eating pre-packaged foods may contribute to high phosphorus levels because it is often added to these foods and beverages.
Low levels of phosphorus can often be corrected with a basic supplement and lifestyle changes. There may also be an underlying medical condition causing chronically low phosphorus levels that would need to be treated in order to relieve the condition.
Most People Have Abnormal Phosphorus Detected on an Annual Exam
Because most people won’t even realize their phosphorus levels are out of balance, the most common way to discover the need for a PO4 blood test is through the annual basic metabolic panel or a comprehensive metabolic panel. These test calcium levels as part of the test and can lead medical providers toward the need for the PO4 blood test.
One common concern is that vegetarians may not be able to meet their phosphorus needs and some medical providers even suggest regular PO4 testing because of this dietary choice. About half of the phosphorus that is in vegetarian sources is absorbed by the body, so a recommendation to consume yeast breads in addition to vegetables can help to rectify the slight imbalances that may exist.
Most people who even have an abnormal PO4 blood test will generally be in good overall health.
If there are any personal concerns about how phosphorus levels may interact with personal health, then be sure to schedule an appointment with a medical provider right away to discuss this guide and what they mean for personal results.