Why is ionized calcium increased or decreased in a blood test. Unbound or ionized calcium: what is it, the norm and the reasons for the deviation of the level of an important mineral component

Description

Method of determination ion-selective electrodes.

Material under study Plasma (heparin)

Physiologically active part of blood calcium. All physiological effects of calcium (participation in muscle contraction, in the mechanisms of hormone secretion, receptor processes, in the mechanisms of cell division, etc.) are carried out by its ionized form (Ca ++). Free calcium makes up 43% to 50% of total calcium. Its concentration varies during the day: the minimum concentration at 20 o'clock, the maximum at 2 - 4 o'clock in the morning. The level of ionized calcium is maintained by parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, the active form of vitamin D3. The production of these hormones, in turn, depends on the level of Ca++. Its concentration in the blood is influenced by many factors - proteins, magnesium (it is necessary to investigate the concentration of magnesium if hypocalcemia is detected!). The acid-base state (CBS) is very important: alkalosis increases binding and reduces concentration, while acidosis, on the contrary, reduces binding and increases the concentration of ionized calcium in the blood. The determination of free calcium allows a more accurate assessment of the state of calcium metabolism, especially in patients undergoing surgery, resuscitation, receiving heparin, bicarbonates, calcium and magnesium preparations. The determination of ionized calcium is more informative, compared to the study of total calcium, for the diagnosis of hypercalcemic conditions, in particular with primary hyperparathyroidism (which is characterized by an increase in the concentration of free calcium in the blood and an unchanged level of total calcium), in patients with oncopathology, in patients on dialysis. During pregnancy, serum total calcium decreases in parallel with the decrease in albumin concentration, although the level of free calcium remains within the normal range. The content of free and total calcium in the fetus is somewhat increased, it decreases within a few days after birth, and then soon increases to values ​​slightly higher than in adults. The value of ionized calcium, which may cause tetany and seizures:

Literature

Indications for appointment

Hyper- and hypocalcemia, especially in combination with dysproteinemia; Calcium status studies after citrated blood transfusions, heparin administration, major injuries, surgical interventions, sepsis, burns, pancreatitis, multiple organ failure, as well as patients with severe liver and kidney pathology, various malignant tumors, malabsorption; Examination of pregnant women; Sepsis; Dialysis and extracorporeal circulation.

Interpretation of results

The interpretation of test results contains information for the attending physician and is not a diagnosis. The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. An accurate diagnosis is made by the doctor, using both the results of this examination¤ and the necessary information from other sources: history, results of other examinations, etc.

Units of measurement in the INVITRO laboratory: mmol/l. Alternative units of measure are mg/100 ml. Conversion factor: mg / 100 ml x 0.25 ==> mmol / l. Reference values: 1.03 - 1.23 mmol/l. Increased values ​​Primary hyperparathyroidism; Ectopic tumors that produce parathyroid hormone; Excessive intake of vitamin D. Malignant tumors (an increase in ionized calcium may occur with normal values ​​of total calcium) and metastases; Acidosis; Medications: hydrochlorothiazide (long-term), lithium, androgens. Lower values ​​Primary hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism; Vitamin D deficiency; Sepsis; Acute pancreatitis; kidney failure; Severe damage to skeletal muscles; Hemodialysis with a low concentration of calcium in the dialysate; After transfusions of blood containing calcium-complexing anions (citrate); After extensive injuries, surgical interventions; burns; Multiple organ failure; Magnesium deficiency; Alkalosis; hypernatremia; atrophic gastritis; Calcium binders (citrate, oxalate, EDTA, heparin); Drugs (anticonvulsants, danazol, foscarnet, furosemide initial action), alcohol.

Questions
and answers

I suffer from shortness of breath, even with little effort, sweat comes out, I feel a rapid heartbeat and sleep poorly. They say you need to check the heart. Could it be related to him?

Shortness of breath (a feeling of lack of air) is a common symptom that accompanies various pathologies. Most often it occurs in diseases of the cardiovascular and bronchopulmonary systems.

Shortness of breath should not be ignored, it can be a harbinger of life-threatening conditions (myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism).

Shortness of breath on exertion is usually associated with cardiovascular disease. It can be a symptom of heart failure, angina pectoris, hypertension, or a heart rhythm disorder. Therefore, recommendations to check the heart should be taken into account.

Palpitations, shortness of breath, and sweating can also occur due to the overproduction of thyroid hormones in thyrotoxicosis.

In your case, you need to contact a general practitioner who will clarify the complaints, conduct an examination and recommend an appropriate examination and / or consultation with specialized specialists.

The examination plan may include: a clinical blood test, determination of sodium, potassium, calcium, urea, cholesterol and its fractions in blood serum, natriuretic hormone (BNP), thyroid hormones (free T4, free T3 and TSH), measurement of blood pressure ( blood pressure), electrocardiography (ECG), chest x-ray.
Clinical guidelines. Urolithiasis disease. Russian Society of Urologists. 2017.

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In this section, you can find out how much it costs to complete this study in your city, read the description of the test and the table for interpreting the results. When choosing where to take the analysis "Calcium ionized (Ca ++, free calcium, Free Calcium, Calcium ionized)" in Moscow and other cities of Russia, do not forget that the price of the analysis, the cost of the procedure for taking biomaterial, methods and terms for performing studies at regional medical offices may differ.

The determination of calcium in the blood is included in the biochemical analysis. In our body, this element is contained in two forms - ionized, that is, free and in conjunction with proteins. The norm of ionized calcium in the blood is at least 45% of the total indicators of the element. It is the assessment of the free fraction for doctors that has the greatest information content. With the help of this study, you can identify a number of diseases, as well as confirm or refute the initial diagnosis.

The role of Ca in our body

Probably, each of us knows from childhood that Ca is necessary for us to grow and strengthen bones, but this is not its only task.

Free calcium in our body is involved in many vital processes, namely:

• Responsible for bone growth.
• Participates in the process of coagulation.
• Participates in the regulation of enzyme activity.
• Responsible for the conduction of nerve fibers.
• It plays an important role in muscle contraction, including the heart.
• Participates in the synthesis of hormones.
• Responsible for strengthening blood vessels.
• Participates in the formation of the immune system.

With this in mind, it is safe to say that it is very important to control the level of calcium in the blood. Norms in the blood of ionized calcium depend on the age group of the patient.

Normal indicators of ionized Ca

It is worth noting that these are only average indicators of calcium levels in the blood. For each adult patient and for a child, doctors calculate individual indicators, taking into account many factors.

Table of average norms for the content of ionized Ca by age:

It is very important to maintain these norms, because not only a lack of Ca is dangerous for human health, but also its excess. It is worth noting that in public institutions most often they conduct a study only to determine the total calcium in the blood. If a patient needs a blood test for ionized calcium, it is better to contact a paid laboratory.

Increased rate

If calcium in the blood is elevated, it can adversely affect human health. Hypercalcemia leads to the fact that the substance begins to settle on the walls of blood vessels, in the kidneys and liver. This can lead to the development of heart failure, urolithiasis and pathological conditions of the liver and biliary tract. There can be several reasons why you have high calcium:

• Increased content of vitamin D.
• Oncological diseases.
• Increased levels of growth hormone.
• Chronic interitis.
• Metabolic disease.
• Endocrine diseases.
• Abuse of products containing calcium.

The following symptoms may raise suspicions that you have an increased Ca:

• Chronic nausea and vomiting.
• Feeling of thirst.
• Decreased work capacity.
• Weakness.
• Heart rhythm disorder, shortness of breath.
• Convulsive syndrome.

Often, increased rates can be the result of an incorrect analysis. Ionized calcium can be affected by prolonged contact of the test material with air. In this case, you need to re-analyze. If the second analysis for ionized Ca showed a sharp increase, this should be the reason for a number of additional diagnostic procedures.

Early identification of the causes of deviation can be the key to successful treatment.

High Ca can be lowered only by identifying the reasons for the deviation. If this is malnutrition, you need to adjust the menu, but if the cause of hypercalcemia was the development of pathology, you should immediately begin to treat the underlying disease.

Reduced rate

Calcium deficiency can also indicate the development of certain pathologies in the body. Ionized calcium in the blood is lowered in the following diseases:

• infectious diseases.
• Lack of vitamin D or magnesium.
• Pathology of the kidneys.
• Diseases of the pancreas.
• Endocrine diseases.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• postoperative period.

Often low Ca is observed in menopausal women after 50 years. This is due to hormonal changes in the body. Also, the leaching of Ca from the body can occur during the intake of diuretics, with the abuse of salty foods, a decrease in calcium in the blood in women can be during pregnancy and an unbalanced diet.

The following conditions can serve as symptoms that ionized calcium is greatly reduced:

• Destruction of teeth and nails.
• Dryness of the skin.
• Hair breakage.
• Tachycardia.
• Slow blood clotting.
• Nervous excitability.
• Vertigo.
• Head and muscle pain.
• Fragility of bones.

Treatment of Ca deficiency depends on the causes of the abnormalities. Patients in the course of complex therapy may be prescribed a special diet or vitamin preparations that make up for the lack of an element in the body. It is worth noting that girls who abuse diets for weight loss often suffer from a deficiency of free calcium in the blood.

Foods that increase Ca

If a blood test showed an increase or decrease in calcium levels, it is first recommended to balance the diet. Depending on the indicators, it is necessary to limit or increase the use of the following products:

• Cottage cheese.
• Milk.
• Ryazhenka.
• Kefir.
• Cereal crops.
• beans.
• oranges.
• Nuts.
• Greens.

Most calcium is found in dairy products. However, it will not be absorbed by the body if you are deficient in vitamin D or magnesium. It is for this reason that self-treatment will not lead to positive results. The diet should be prescribed by an experienced specialist who can evaluate all the indicators of your biochemical analysis and identify the true cause of calcium deficiency.

When is an analysis ordered?

A blood test calcium is prescribed to patients in the following cases:

• Suspicion of deficiency or excess of calcium ions.
• Oncological diseases, to determine whether there are bone metastases.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• In hospital and before surgery.
• Diagnosis of heart disease.
• Pain in muscles and bones.
• Convulsive syndrome.
• Decreased tissue sensitivity.
• Kidney diseases.
• Low levels of protein in the blood.

Before taking an analysis for calcium, you need to exclude food intake 8-10 hours before blood sampling. Also limit any physical activity and stress. To obtain the most accurate results, you should try to exclude any factor that increases or decreases the level of calcium in the blood.

Remember, only a doctor should deal with deciphering the analysis, because only he can determine the normal level of calcium for you personally, given your age, lifestyle and the presence of chronic diseases. Also, only a doctor should prescribe treatment. Any self-medication, even taking vitamins without a doctor's prescription, can result in the development of side effects.

Calcium is one of the most important elements for our body. Each person should control the level of this substance in the blood. If you are assigned a paid analysis for the determination of calcium ions, be sure to do it, because without these indicators it is quite difficult to accurately diagnose certain diseases. Remember that your health directly depends on a balanced and healthy diet, also get rid of bad habits and see an active lifestyle.

In contact with

Ionized Ca is the active form of this element. In the human body, it is contained in the form of a positively charged Ca2+ ion and is responsible for many vital processes, from the point of view of physiology. An important feature of ionized calcium is its ability to be metabolically active.

In addition to its active (free) form, calcium in the blood can be associated with negatively charged ions in the form of lactates, phosphates, bicarbonates and other compounds, or with albumin proteins in the blood serum. The sum of all three forms of calcium in the body is called total calcium.

Calcium in the blood can be in three forms in the following ratio:

• 55 - 58% falls on ionized calcium;
• 35 - 38% due to albumins;
• 10% in complex form with low molecular weight anions.

The active element accounts for more than half of the percent, which shows the importance of the analysis for ionized calcium.

The rate of calcium in the blood in adults is 2.0 - 2.8 mmol / l, the rate of ionized - 1.1 - 1.4 mmol / l.

Normal blood calcium is also determined by age:

Ca and pregnancy

The rate of calcium in the blood in women is 2.20 - 2.50 mmol / l. One of the reasons for the physiological deficiency of the element and deviation from the norm in women is pregnancy. Women in an interesting position should increase the daily dose of Ca intake, as it affects the skeletal system of the unborn child. Also, high doses of Ca are needed during breastfeeding.

Ca functions

The main function is the regulation of the activity of myocytes, that is, cells of the muscle tissue of the heart, strengthening of bone tissue, as well as ensuring the contractile ability of striated muscles.

Other biochemical processes in which Ca is involved are:

• Transmission of an electrical impulse along a nerve fiber;
• Regulation of the hemostasis system;
• Regulation of cell wall permeability;
• Regulation of enzyme synthesis;
• Regulation of hormone synthesis by endocrine glands;
• Regulation of normal values ​​of iron in blood serum.

All of the above processes proceed at the proper level only under the condition of a normal content of ionized calcium in the blood and total calcium in the bones.

Ca exchange in the body

Ca homeostasis depends on how it is absorbed in the intestine, on the exchange of minerals in bone tissue, and on reabsorption in the kidneys. There are three main biologically active substances that regulate calcium metabolism:

1. Parathyroid hormone, which is produced by the parathyroid glands in response to an increase in phosphorus, which leads to an increase in calcium levels;
2. Calcitonin, produced by the thyroid gland and reduces the level of calcium in the blood, due to its transport to the bones;
3. Calcitriol, or activated vitamin D3, which promotes Ca absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms of Ca metabolism disorders

There are two types of abnormal calcium levels in the body - hypocalcemia, that is, a low content, and hypercalcemia, if calcium in the blood is elevated. Since it is almost impossible to exceed the normal level of calcium in the average person (provided there is no serious pathology), it is hypocalcemia that is most common.

hypocalcemia

A patient with Ca deficiency presents with general complaints of headache, frequent episodes of dizziness, weakness, lethargy, dry skin, and hair loss.

A characteristic symptom of a violation of bone tissue metabolism is caries due to thinning of tooth enamel, brittle nails, and curvature of the nail plate. With advanced hypocalcemia, osteoporosis and pathological fractures may occur. Ca deficiency in children is manifested by growth retardation, bone deformity, and posture disorders.

On the part of the muscular apparatus, there is an increase in muscle tone, periodically occurring convulsions after physical exertion, and pathological reflexes.

From the side of the heart and the hemostasis system, tachycardia, arrhythmia are noted, the time to stop bleeding is increased, in severe cases, hypocalcemia can lead to coronary heart disease.

Hypercalcemia

If ionized calcium is elevated, this is manifested by shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, disruption of the heart due to the deposition of Ca compounds, decreased muscle tone, increased blood clotting with the risk of blood clots and emboli.

The reasons

hypocalcemia

Most often, hypoalbuminemia, that is, a decrease in the level of blood albumin, is the basis of a low calcium level in the blood.

In addition, the reasons may be:

• Hypoparathyroidism;
• Vitamin D deficiency;
• renal pathology;
• Rickets;
• Magnesium deficiency;
• Cirrhosis of the liver;
• Hyperplasia of the adrenal glands;
• Acute pancreatitis and others.

Hypercalcemia

The most common causes of high blood calcium levels are hyperparathyroidism and malignant neoplasms. The first leads to hypercalcemia directly due to an increase in the production of parathyroid hormone, and MNs produce and release into the blood a substance that mimics the action of parathyroid hormone.

In addition, the reasons may be:

• Hyperthyroidism;
• Endocrine pathologies (Addison's disease, acromegaly);
• Sarcoidosis;
• Tuberculosis;
• Increased content of vitamin D;
• Pathology of the blood system (leukemia, erythremia);
• osteolysis;
• dehydration and others.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is based on the collection of patient complaints, instrumental and laboratory data. To confirm the altered calcium metabolism, the doctor prescribes the following tests:

• Analysis for total calcium;
• Analysis for calcium ionized;
• Blood chemistry;
• Urinalysis for calcium content;
• Phosphorus content analysis;
• Magnesium analysis;
• Vitamin D analysis;
• Parathyroid hormone level;

When evaluating the results of blood tests for calcium and other elements, it is important to analyze both quantitative indicators relative to the norm and the ratio of elements involved in calcium metabolism. In a biochemical blood test, serum albumin proteins are primarily evaluated.

What should a patient know about taking a blood test for ionized calcium?

There are a number of rules: in order to prepare for the analysis for ionized calcium and obtain reliable data, the patient must exclude food intake twelve hours before the analysis, as well as avoid stressful situations, physical exertion, smoking less than half an hour before the analysis.

A number of medications can change the normal level of ionized calcium in the blood. Drugs that cause hypercalcemia include:

• Antacids;
• Preparations analogues of hormones;
• "Tamoxifen".

Drugs that cause hypocalcemia:

• "Calcitonin";
• "Gentamicin";
• Anticonvulsant drugs;
• magnesium salts;
• Laxative LP.

Treatment and prevention

The norm of calcium consumed per day with food is 800 - 1200 mg. Pregnant women are recommended to consume at least 1000 mg per day.

What to do if, according to the results of a blood test for calcium, hypocalcemia is diagnosed? First of all, in order to prevent hypocalcemia, you should change your diet and follow a diet. Ca-rich foods should be eaten daily.

On the recommendation of a doctor, you can take Ca preparations, combining them with vitamins of groups C and D, which increase the absorption of calcium in the body, as well as with magnesium preparations. Vitamin D ensures better absorption of the element by the intestines, participates in the biochemistry of Ca–P metabolism.

From childhood, we are advised to eat more dairy products, as they are rich in bone-healthy calcium. But this element is necessary not only for our skeleton, but also for blood, muscles, and nerve fibers. There are 2 forms of calcium: ionized and bound. Ionized calcium is not bound to proteins, so it circulates freely in the blood. A blood test for calcium plays a significant role in diagnosing the state of the body. Thanks to its information content, you can choose the right dosage of drugs. According to its data, one can judge the metabolism of mineral substances in the body.

Protein-bound calcium does not have such a significant effect on the body. This is the state of Ca at the time of transport.

What is calcium for?

Calcium is one of the most important elements of the human body. It affects the course of metabolic processes. Blood contains two fractions of this element - ionized and bound. The composition of the bound may include plasma proteins, citrates, phosphates. This form of calcium makes up 55% of the total volume in blood plasma. 40% of them are associated with protein, 15% are phosphorus and citrate.

It turns out that 45% of blood plasma remains for active ionized calcium. In this state, calcium is capable of much. Here is a list of useful functions that it performs:

Promotes the growth and development of bone tissue;

Stimulates the secretion of a neurotransmitter, thereby improving the conductivity of nerve fibers, since without this substance the transmission of neural impulses throughout the body is impossible;

It is one of the elements involved in the process of blood clotting;

Stabilizes the enzyme activity of the body;

Affects the intensity of muscle and heart contractions;

Reduces the permeability of the walls of blood vessels, thereby protecting them from exposure to harmful substances.

The level of ionized calcium in the blood is important for the body. That is where he tries to send it in the first place. Therefore, if a person's teeth began to hurt or the bones became brittle, this is a clear signal of a mineral deficiency. Incidentally, calcium also plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. Another of its functions is to strengthen the immune system and activate most hormones and enzymes.

The bound form is less productive. Experts believe that deviations up or down are not always a symptom of a failure in the metabolic process.

A person should consume 850-1300 mg of calcium per day. The main thing is not to overdo it, since the upper limit is 2500 mg. However, there are times when increased consumption of this element is justified. For example, in the blood of pregnant women, or during lactation. The body's need for Ca also increases in athletes.

What to do to provide the body with this essential trace element? You should add the following foods to your diet:

From cereals - this is buckwheat;

From fruits - oranges;

Dairy;

legumes;

Helps absorb calcium vitamin D group. It is often prescribed by pediatricians for newborns and older children.

There are also foods that interfere with the absorption of ionized calcium. These include:

Palm oil. It is found in the composition of various products, where it is necessary to replace natural milk fat with various cheap "ersatz";

Some types of animal fats;

Sweets that have an alkaline reaction. For example, some sweets.

Norms for different age groups

The norm of the ionized mineral for each age group is different. The table below shows the numbers that the analysis for ionized calcium should show. Otherwise, the value obtained is considered a deviation from the norm.

In a child, ionized Ca is increased when compared with the adult category. This phenomenon is explained by the intensive growth of bones, which shows the high need of the body for this element. This situation lasts for children until they reach the age of 16.

During pregnancy;

During lactation;

When taking contraceptives.

Who should have the procedure?

Most often, knowing the level of total calcium in the blood is enough to assess the process of mineral metabolism, since the ratio of free (45%) and bound (55%) forms is constant. But in any rule there are exceptions, so for some people this ratio is violated. Therefore, it is advisable to conduct another type of study - an analysis for ionized calcium.

Significant fluctuations in the content of calcium ions have certain symptoms:

Unstable rhythm of the heart muscle. She speeds up, then slows down her pace;

Muscle spasms;

Disturbances of consciousness.

The following conditions may serve as indications for donating blood for research:

cancerous tumors;

Preparation before the operation;

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;

convulsions;

Pathology of the kidneys and urinary tract;

Changes in the cardiovascular system;

Pain in muscles and bones;

Low levels of proteins in the blood (hypoproteinemia).

So if you fall into one of these categories, then do not delay the study, as it will help you choose the right dosage of the necessary medication and make the course of therapy more effective.

Preparing and conducting analysis

In order for the result of the analysis for the level of calcium to be normal and undistorted by various factors, it is necessary to prepare for it. Here is a small list of rules to follow:

Rent biomaterial on an empty stomach. The last meal should be 12 hours ago;

You can smoke 1 hour before visiting the laboratory;

Heavy loads are also excluded before the analysis;

Many drugs can raise or lower calcium levels in the body. Therefore, 14 days before the test, you should refrain from taking them. Naturally, you should first consult with your doctor on this issue. If the doctor did not allow to interrupt the course of treatment, then the medications taken and their dosage will be indicated on the form of the study.

For analysis, venous blood will be taken. Currently, two methods for determining the level of free calcium are used in medical practice:

1. For total calcium;
2. Directly to the ionized form.

The first method is less expensive, therefore it is available in almost any state laboratory. It is funded by the CHI policy. The second method is more informative. It allows not only to establish an accurate diagnosis, but also to develop an individual course of treatment.

A very important condition is the study within 2 days after blood sampling. Otherwise, prolonged exposure to air may distort the results by increasing the reference value of calcium ions. So you will receive a form with the results of the analysis after 3 days.

Not the last role is played by the time of day when the biomaterial is taken for analysis. It is preferable to make a fence in the morning. If the biomaterial is taken in the evening, active calcium is likely to be higher than normal.

Reduced rate

If the patient's calcium ion level is low, the following symptoms indicate this:

With these symptoms, hypocalcemia is diagnosed. The reasons that caused this state are different in nature:

Vitamin D deficiency;

Extensive burn injuries;

Lack of magnesium in the blood;

The period after surgery;

The intestine does not absorb calcium well;

Metabolic alkalosis (violation of the acid-base state).

You should know that such a condition with an indicator of less than 0.7 mmol / l is critical and threatens with the possibility of death.

Increased score. Hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia is a disease in which there is too much calcium in the blood. The test results in this case are more than 2.6 mmol / l. At this concentration, a calcium precipitate is formed in the vessels, liver and kidney tissue, which makes them brittle. The risk of developing heart failure is high. Hypercalcemia at an early stage is characterized by the following symptoms:

Nausea;

Lack of appetite;

Intensive work of the kidneys;

Calcium plays an important role in the growth and vital functions of the body. In the blood, it is in the form of two fractions: free (ionized) and associated with plasma proteins, phosphates or citrates. Normally, the free fraction makes up about 45% of the total calcium level. The analysis for ionized calcium is highly informative, since it is it that allows you to more accurately determine the diagnosis and select the right treatment.

What role does calcium play in the body?

Calcium is an important trace element that affects the metabolic processes in the body. It performs the following functions:

• affects the growth and development of bone tissue;
• participates in the process of blood clotting;
• regulates enzymatic activity;
• provides good conductivity along the nerve fibers to the muscles;
• affects the contraction of muscle fibers and the heart muscle;
• takes part in the production of hormones.

In addition, calcium ions help strengthen the vascular wall, increase the body's resistance to infections and allergic reactions.

Normal levels of calcium in the blood

Causes of an increase in Ca ions in the blood and characteristic symptoms

An increase in calcium (hypercalcemia) can occur in the following conditions:

• metabolic disorders of hemostasis by type of acidosis;
• increased production of Ca in newborns, which does not have a reason for this (Williams syndrome);
• excess vitamin D;
• acute insufficiency of renal functions;
• malignant tumors and metastases in bone tissue;
• hereditary hypercalcemia;
• hyperparathyroidism, in which there is an overproduction of the hormone of the parathyroid glands (parathyroid hormone);
• blood diseases: leukemia, lymphoma and others;
• benign tumor-like formations of the parathyroid gland;
• insufficiency of the functions of the adrenal cortex;
• increased consumption of foods containing Ca.

Venous blood sampling is required to determine ionized calcium.

Hypercalcemia is characterized by the following symptoms:

• gradually increasing weakness, fatigue;
• decreased physical activity;
• dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting);
• the appearance of thirst;
• convulsive twitching in the limbs;
• increased heart rate, heart rhythm disturbance.

With prolonged hypercalcemia, calcium is deposited in the vessels, kidney and liver tissue. Heart failure may develop.

Why does ionized Ca in the blood decrease and how does it manifest itself?

A decrease in calcium (hypocalcemia) can occur in the following conditions:

• with vitamin D deficiency;
• after extensive burns;
• with metabolic alkalosis;
• if the child has rickets;
• with renal pathologies, pancreatitis;
• if magnesium in the blood is low;
• in the postoperative period;
• with insufficient absorption of calcium in the intestine.

Insufficiency of Ca ions can manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• in patients, nervous excitability increases;
• emotional state becomes labile;
• migraine-like headaches, dizziness are characteristic;
• osteoporosis, destruction of dental tissue, nails;
• the skin becomes dry, and the hair is brittle and weak;
• tachycardia appears;
• blood clotting is disturbed - the period necessary to stop bleeding is lengthened.

With a lack of calcium in the body, osteoporosis develops.

Indications for testing for Ca ions

Biochemical analysis for ionized Ca is common in medical institutions. Since it carries important information on mineral metabolism in the body of both an adult and a child.

Indications for research are the following conditions:

• signs of insufficiency or excess of calcium in the body;
• malignant tumors;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• preoperative preparation;
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• pain in muscles, bone tissue, muscle weakness;
• convulsive manifestations;
• violation of sensitivity in tissues;
• diseases of the urinary system;
• decrease in proteins in the blood.

When a patient undergoes intensive care with intravenous administration of blood products and glucose-salt solutions, the level of Ca is monitored daily or more often, according to indications.

Rules for preparing for analysis

To get a reliable result on the calcium content, you must follow these rules:

• before taking the analysis, exclude heavy physical exertion;
• do not drink alcohol, fatty foods a day before the study;
• it is necessary to take the analysis strictly on an empty stomach, the last meal should be 12 hours before the study;
• stop smoking one hour before donating blood;
• it is impossible to conduct a study after instrumental methods of examination and physiotherapy.

It must be remembered that many drugs are able to increase or decrease Ca in the body. Therefore, 1-2 weeks before the examination, it is necessary to stop taking medications. On this issue, you should definitely consult with your doctor. If it is not possible to cancel the medications, then the study form indicates which drug the patient is currently taking and at what dosage. This will help you conduct your research more accurately.

If there are symptoms of a violation of calcium metabolism in the body, you should immediately contact a specialist. You can not engage in self-diagnosis and try to eliminate the symptoms yourself. This can lead to serious disorders in the body. Timely qualified diagnosis and correction of violations will help prevent undesirable consequences and reduce the risk of complications.