Ionized Calcium test:
Why Ionized Calcium Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
Calcium is essential for the functions of the body. Calcium is one of the most important minerals in the body for normal physiological functioning of nerves, muscles, heart, blood clotting, bone (calcium hydroxyapatite - strengthening of bones) etc. Deficiency of calcium can lead to symptoms such as brain fog, dizziness, lightheadedness, numbness, tingling sensations, insomnia, depression etc. Neglected chronic cases can lead to kidney failure and can also be life-threatening (fatal). The calcium test is estimated as Total Calcium and Ionized Calcium (unbound or free calcium or active calcium). This test evaluates the calcium levels in the blood or urine, hence helps to diagnose calcium disorders (metabolic disorders related to calcium) such as disturbances in nerve impulse conduction, neuromuscular irritability, alterations in the brain (calcification of basal ganglia, and also it can lead to convulsions), muscle contraction issues leading to spasm, alkalemia related tetany, arrhythmias, hormonal release, hormonal disorders (especially related to the parathyroid hormone), cataract and Bone disorders such as osteoporosis etc. A blood and urine calcium test is ordered to screen for diagnosis and monitors a range of conditions related to the bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, teeth etc. It is also ordered inpatient with symptoms such as parathyroid disorder, mal-absorption or/an overactive thyroid. Abnormal levels of calcium (high or low levels deviated from the normal physiological range) can be reflected as a sign of either bone diseases, thyroid and/or kidney diseases or other associated medical conditions. Clinical manifestations of altered calcium levels are reflected by its signs and symptoms. Thus the symptoms of high calcium levels include nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, increase thirst, constipation, abdominal pain, loss of appetite etc. Diseases associated with higher calcium levels are hyperparathyroidism, kidney or adrenal failure, sarcoidosis, Paget’s disease of the bone, excessive use of antacids, and high intake of calcium from vitamin - D supplements or milk. Low levels of calcium show signs of symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, muscle spasm, muscle cramps and tingling in lips, tongue, fingers, feet etc. Diseases associated with lower calcium levels are hypoparathyroidism, vitamin-D deficiency, magnesium deficiency, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), kidney diseases, osteoporosis, osteopenia etc and symptoms of hypocalcemia in neonates including jitteriness, poor feeding, seizures, apnea (slow breathing), tachycardia. Certain diseases such as kidney diseases, thyroid diseases, malnutrition, and medications such as lithium, thiazide diuretics, antacids, atenolol (beta-blocker), colestipol (bile acid sequestrants), estrogen, digoxin, antibiotics – fluoroquinolones, tetracyclinsetc and few cancer types with high or low levels of calcium may not reflect any clinical manifestation hence can remain asymptomatic. Diagnosis of calcium-related disorders is estimated by performing two tests – ionized calcium (free or unbound) and total calcium. Ionized calcium accounts for the free unbound form of calcium in proteins, while total calcium measures the calcium attached to specific proteins (binding proteins – carrier proteins etc). Higher than normal levels of ionized calcium may be reflected also as hypocalciuria and it may be associated with certain pathologies related to Milk-Alkali syndrome, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, thrombocytosis, thiazide diuretics, hypervitaminosis (eg. excess vitamin A and/or D) etc. while lower than normal levels of ionized calcium may be due to hypoparathyroidism, mal-absorption, osteomalacia, pancreatitis, renal failure, vitamin deficiency etc. Other additional tests for calcium include ion-selective electrode test, bone density scan or dexa scan (type of x-ray scan).
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen - Blood sample collected from the vein. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centres to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
