Does Calcium Level In Blood Of 10.4 Indicate Hypercalcemia?

Posted on Mon, 14 Dec 2015

Question: my calcium level is high at 10.4. reference range goes up to 10.2. my albumin is 4.6. does this mean I have hypercalcemia or does the calcium need to be corrected for the albumin being over 4?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Calcium level is only marginally raised and it is not concerning.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Your findings may suggests that calcium level is marginally raised and it is not concerning.Normal value range may vary slightly among laboratories.

Mild hypercalcemia is defined as total calcium level between 10.5-11.9 mg/dL.

Your condition need clinical correlation and it is important to know your symptoms and reason for investigations.
Please let me know about indication.
You may need parathyroid hormone (PTH),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) estimation after evaluation.

Normal range of albumin in our body is 3.5 to 5.
I don't think you need any correction.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (8 minutes later)

I have had a few calcium tests show up at 10.8. some have been at 10.2. my albumin is always on the high end of normal 4.6 to 4.9. it's it 5 as well. my vit d is low and doc wants to supplement but I am refusing because of the high calcium. I don't want to make it higher. the only rational explanation I can think of is that if you correct those numbers they actually are well in normal range. for instance cal at 10.4 and albumin at 4.6 leads to a corrected calcium of 9.9. when would someone correct the calcium. my alk phos levels are at 43 and the last time I had a pth test it was 26.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Correction is required in patients with low calcium level& abnormal albumin

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for replying late

Correction is only required in patients with low calcium level and abnormal albumin level.
It is not relevant in your case as both calcium and albumin level are almost within normal limit.
I agree with your doctor,I also suggest for vitamin D supplementation.At this stage,your body try to maintain normal calcium level.Eventually you may develop hypocalcemia if vitamin D is not supplemented.

Both ALP and PTH level are normal.Don't worry at all.You are fine.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (5 hours later)

sorry one more question. does the use of a tourniquet during blood draw also increase calcium to a degree? I noticed when my blood is drawn by my doctor who doesn't use a tourniquet the level is 9.9. when I go to a lab such as labcorp it always comes back higher in the 10's. I did some research online that a tourniquet can increase the level by as much as .3. I wonder if this could be causing some of the slightly elevated readings?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Some studies claim that prolonged use of tourniquet may alter reports

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for replying late

Some studies claim that prolonged use of tourniquet may alter many blood reports slightly,however it is a debatable issue.
Slight variation is commonly due to laboratory.
You have almost normal findings and it is not concerning.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D