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Calcium
Test CodeCA
Alias/See Also
Epic: LAB53
Preferred Specimen
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Minimum Volume
0.10 mL
Instructions
Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection.
Transport Container
Plastic vial
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 3 weeks
Frozen: 8 months
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, QNS, hemolyzed.
Methodology
Arsenazo III
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
For serum, hemolysis increase results by up to 4%. Bilirubin may decrease results by 2%. Intralipid can increase results by up to 6%.
Interferences from medications or endogenous substances may affect results.
Reference Range
0 - 10 days: 7.6 - 10.4 mg/dL
10 days - 2 years: 9.0 - 11.0 mg/dL
2 - 19 years: 8.8 - 10.8 mg/dL
19 - 70 years: 8.5 - 10.5 mg/dL
70 - 150 years: 7.9 - 10.2 mg/dL
10 days - 2 years: 9.0 - 11.0 mg/dL
2 - 19 years: 8.8 - 10.8 mg/dL
19 - 70 years: 8.5 - 10.5 mg/dL
70 - 150 years: 7.9 - 10.2 mg/dL
Clinical Significance
The majority of calcium in the body is present in bones. The remainder of the calcium is in serum and has various functions. For example, calcium ions decrease neuromuscular excitability, participate in blood coagulation, and activate some enzymes.
As part of the BMP and CMP, abnormal calcium levels lead to other underlying causes. Hypercalcemia may be seen in cancer, especially bone cancer, hypervitaminosis D, kidney transplant, multiple myeloma, tuberculosis, and in hyperparathyroidism. Long-term lithium therapy may cause hyperparathyroidism, with resulting hypercalcemia.
Hypocalcemia can be seen in malabsorption, alcoholism, hypoalbuminemia, hypoparathyroidism, renal insufficiency and acute pancreatitis. Low dietary intake of calcium, vitamin D deficiency, may be other causes.
As part of the BMP and CMP, abnormal calcium levels lead to other underlying causes. Hypercalcemia may be seen in cancer, especially bone cancer, hypervitaminosis D, kidney transplant, multiple myeloma, tuberculosis, and in hyperparathyroidism. Long-term lithium therapy may cause hyperparathyroidism, with resulting hypercalcemia.
Hypocalcemia can be seen in malabsorption, alcoholism, hypoalbuminemia, hypoparathyroidism, renal insufficiency and acute pancreatitis. Low dietary intake of calcium, vitamin D deficiency, may be other causes.
Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Additional Information
ILS Calcium Abbott Alinity Job Aid
Last Updated: April 11, 2023
Last Review: N. Wolford, March 27, 2023