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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Calcium
Test CodeCA
Alias/See Also
Ca
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)
Transport Container
PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 2 days, Frozen: 45 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.
Limitations
Calcium values may be falsely decreased in the presence of gadolinium-containing contrast agents such as Omniscan™. The manufacturer recommends to avoid drawing samples for serum calcium 24 hours after administration of this.
Reference Range
| Age | Female | Male |
| Adult (>19 years): | 8.4 – 10.6 mg/dL | 8.4 – 10.6 mg/dL |
| Pediatric: | ||
| 0 – 7 days | 7.8-11.2 | 7.6-11.3 |
| 8 – 30 days | 8.6-11.8 | 8.8-11.6 |
| 31– 90 days | 8.2-11.0 | 8.7-11.2 |
| 91– 180 days | 8.0-11.4 | 8.5-11.3 |
| 6 – 11 months | 8.1-11.0 | 8.0-10.9 |
| 1 – 3 years | 8.9-9.9 | 8.9-9.9 |
| 4 – 6 years | 9.0-10.1 | 9.0-10.1 |
| 7 – 9 years | 9.0-10.1 | 9.0-10.1 |
| 10 –11 years | 9.0-10.1 | 9.0-10.1 |
| 12 –13 years | 9.0-10.6 | 9.0-10.6 |
| 14 –15 years | 9.3-10.7 | 9.3-10.7 |
| 16 –19 years | 9.0-10.7 | 9.0-10.7 |
Clinical Significance
Serum calcium is involved in the regulation of neuromuscular and enzyme activity, bone metabolism and blood coagulation. Calcium blood levels are controlled by a complex interaction of parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, calcitonin and adrenal cortical steroids. Calcium measurements are useful in the diagnosis of parathyroid disease, some bone disorders and chronic renal disease. A low level of calcium results in tetany.
