What Does The Following Lab Test Result Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 30 Jul 2015

Question: i have a question regarding lab results. specifically calcium levels. do labs automatically adjust calcium levels in regards to albumin levels? or does an ionized calcium test need to be ordered?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Normally calcium level estimation is a separate test.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Calcium level that is calculated from albumin level is called as corrected calcium level.It varies with albumin level.
Normally calcium level estimation is a separate test.
Ionized calcium estimation is needed in certain conditions and it is ordered as a separate test.
Ionized calcium in blood doesn't depend on serum albumin level,so it is very useful in assessing calcium that is available at cellular level.
Ionized calcium is ordered when serum albumin is not within normal ranges or patient is having calcium disorder.

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Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (7 minutes later)

ok. so i had a panel done. they just measured calcium. it didnt say corrected calcium just calcium. it was 9.9. my albumin was 5.0. i read that for every 1.0 over 4.0 for albumin subtract .8 from calcium. would that make my calcium 9.1 estimated? reason im asking is in august my calcium was 9.2 from a different lab. i attached the lab

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There may be slight variation in results.Both are normal values.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

There may be slight variation in results in different laboratories.Both are normal.

Corrected calcium level is estimated if there is alteration in albumin level.Normally it is not necessary.Your albumin level is normal,so there is no need of correction.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Please rate my answer if you are satisfied.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (15 minutes later)

wouldnt 5.0 require a .8 reduction in calcium? reason im.asking is my calcium has gone from 9.1 to 9.9 was even 10.0 a week prior to the 9.9 and my phosporus is .1 above the high lab limit and my vit d was low at 27. what would this mean?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
There is need of corrected calcium level.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

There is no need of corrected calcium level.There may be slight variation in results in different laboratories.Both results are normal.Calcium level up to 10.2 mg/dl is considered as normal.
Phosphorus level is marginally high and this is acceptable.
Findings may need clinical correlation.

You may need vitamin D supplementation.One tablet to taken weekly for six weeks.You should properly expose yourself to sunlight.

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

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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