Calcium Tests
Answers to common questions about calcium tests.
Questions on this page
What is serum calcium?
Calcium is an essential mineral involved in:
- Bone health
- Muscle contraction
- Nerve function
- Heart function
- Blood clotting
What does a high calcium level mean?
High calcium, or hypercalcaemia, has several possible causes.
An important endocrine cause is primary hyperparathyroidism.
Other causes include certain medications, malignancy and vitamin D-related disorders.
What does a low calcium level mean?
Low calcium may occur because of:
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Low magnesium
- Certain medications
- Other metabolic disorders
Is total calcium always the true calcium level?
Not necessarily.
Total calcium is influenced by albumin and other factors. In selected situations, corrected calcium or ionized calcium may provide additional information.