Calcium Blood Test: What It Is & Results (original) (raw)

What do the results of a calcium blood test mean?

Blood test reports, including calcium blood test reports, usually provide:

• The name of the blood test or what was measured in your blood
• The number or measurement of your blood test result
• The normal measurement range for that test
• Information that states if your result is normal or abnormal, or high or low

What are normal levels?

In most cases, a normal blood calcium level for adults is 8.5 to 10.2 milligrams/deciliter (2.15 to 2.55 millimoles/liter). But laboratories may have different reference ranges for normal blood calcium levels. You shouldn’t compare values from one laboratory to normal ranges from another laboratory.

When you get the results, there’ll be information that indicates what that lab’s normal blood calcium range is. If you have any questions about your results, be sure to ask your healthcare provider.

What does a high blood calcium level mean?

If your results reveal that you have higher-than-normal levels of calcium in your blood, you may have:

It’s important to remember that a high calcium result doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a medical condition. Certain medications can also increase your blood calcium levels.

What does a low calcium blood level mean?

If your results reveal that you have lower-than-normal levels of calcium in your blood, you may have:

A low calcium result doesn’t necessarily mean you have a medical condition. Certain medications and eating patterns can also decrease your blood calcium levels.

Should I be concerned if I have high or low blood calcium results?

If you have high or low blood calcium results, it doesn’t guarantee you have a medical condition. Other factors, like what you eat and certain medications, can affect your calcium levels. There could’ve also been an error in the collection, transport or processing of the test.

If you have an abnormal result, your healthcare provider may order more tests to find the cause of the abnormal levels. These tests may measure your:

• Ionized blood calcium
• Urine calcium
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Vitamin D
• Parathyroid hormone
• Thyroid hormones
• Calcitonin

If you have questions about your results, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

If you have concerning symptoms of hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.