What is serum calcium used for?

Serum calcium is a blood test to measure the amount of calcium in the blood. Serum calcium is usually measured to screen for or monitor bone diseases or calcium-regulation disorders (diseases of the parathyroid gland or kidneys).

When should I replace my calcium serum?

Patients with severe symptoms of hypocalcemia such as carpopedal spasm, tetany, seizures, decreased cardiac function, or prolonged QT interval need IV calcium replacement to rapidly correct their hypocalcemia. Treat all asymptomatic patients with an acute decrease in serum corrected calcium to ≤7.5 mg/dL (1.9 mmol/L).

What is normal calcium level?

Normal calcium levels The level of calcium in the blood is normally between 2.1 mmol per litre and 2.6 mmol per litre. But remember that blood levels can vary a little from person to person. You might need treatment if your calcium level goes above or below these levels.

What is normal serum calcium level?

The parathyroid glands can be thought of as the “calcium thermostat” of the body.

Lab	Normal range (conventional units)
Calcium (serum)	8.6-10.3 mg/dL
Calcium (ionized)	4.4-5.2 mg/dL
PTH (parathyroid hormone)	11-51 pg/mL
Creatinine (marker of kidney function)	0.6-1.3 mg/dL

What happens when serum calcium levels are low?

The calcium level in blood can be moderately low without causing any symptoms. If levels of calcium are low for long periods, people may develop dry scaly skin, brittle nails, and coarse hair. Muscle cramps involving the back and legs are common.

What can happen if your calcium level is too low?

Low levels of calcium can cause extreme fatigue, which involves a lack of energy and an overall feeling of sluggishness. It can also lead to insomnia. Fatigue associated with a calcium deficiency can also involve lightheadedness, dizziness, and brain fog — characterized by a lack of focus, forgetfulness, and confusion.

What causes high calcium?

Calcium blood level may also be high if your body is low on fluids or water. Other conditions can also cause hypercalcemia: Certain kinds of cancers, such as lung and breast cancer, or cancer that has spread to your organs. Too much vitamin D in your blood (hypervitaminosis D).

Why is my serum calcium high?

Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. These four tiny glands are situated in the neck, near the thyroid gland. Other causes of hypercalcemia include cancer, certain other medical disorders, some medications, and taking too much of calcium and vitamin D supplements.

What happens if serum calcium is high?

Parathyroid glands Hypercalcemia is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is above normal. Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how your heart and brain work.

What if serum calcium is low?

What causes low serum calcium?

The main cause of low blood calcium levels is having the parathyroid glands in your neck removed. This might be necessary for some types of cancer in the neck area. It can also happen if the parathyroid glands are damaged during thyroid gland surgery. Or during other types of surgery to the head and neck.