The body's calcium metabolism can be determined from the blood using three different tests: total calcium, albumin-corrected calcium, and ionized calcium.
Calcium is the most important building block of our skeleton. Over 99 percent of the total amount of calcium is in bone tissues. It is also essential in many metabolic reactions. Additionally, it participates in the regulation of muscle and nerve cell functions.
Calcium metabolism is regulated by parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin.
Calcium occurs in the blood in three different forms: bound to albumin, in compound with bicarbonate, citrate, and phosphate, and ionized. The majority of blood calcium is in plasma as ionized, or free calcium. Free calcium moves freely in the blood, meaning it is not bound to other proteins or ions.
The second most amount of calcium is in plasma bound to albumin (proteins).
The body’s calcium metabolism can be determined from the blood using three different tests: total calcium, albumin-corrected calcium, and ionized calcium.
A large portion of blood calcium is bound to albumin, which is why the determination of total plasma calcium does not provide a reliable result of the body’s calcium level. However, the determination becomes reliable if the plasma albumin concentration is also determined simultaneously. In this way, albumin-corrected calcium concentration can be calculated.
Where can I order the albumin-corrected calcium test P-Ca-Albk?
You can order the P-Ca-Albk test through Puhti without a doctor’s referral. Individual tests are easy to add to ready-made test packages, which provide you with comprehensive information about your body’s health.
A doctor’s remote consultation can be easily ordered separately directly from the end of the result report, if you want to discuss your results and health, if the results deviate from reference values, if you have symptoms, or if there is suspicion of illness.
The reference values for albumin-corrected calcium (for adults) are the same as in the calcium test: 2.15-2.51 mmol/l.