What is a Calcium Test?

Do you know that approximately 2800 minerals are available on the earth? Out of all the minerals, the human body requires around 21 minerals for its survival. Among the minerals needed by the human body, calcium is an essential one. The bones in our body store calcium and use it for different purposes. Calcium is of utmost importance for the healthy maintenance of bones and teeth in our bodies. Calcium is also needed for the healthy functioning of the heart and muscles. Nerves in the human body also need calcium up to an extent to perform optimally. A total calcium blood test is conducted to measure the levels of calcium in the body.

Calcium tests can be broadly classified into two types. The first one is the total calcium blood test that measures the complete amount of calcium in the body. The second one is the ionised calcium blood test, which measures the amount of free calcium in the body. Free calcium in the human body is the amount of calcium not attached to proteins. Since all cells in our body require calcium to work, a calcium test becomes necessary. Sometimes, total and ionised calcium in the body is determined via a single test. Besides a blood test, calcium level in the urine is also measured. Read on to know more about a calcium test and its usefulness. Who Should Get a Calcium Test?

A calcium test can be used for several diseases and conditions. Since calcium is an essential mineral for the body, several diseases can arise due to its deficiency.

Some diseases and conditions that call for a calcium test are as follows:

• Hyperparathyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney failure
• Adrenal gland failure
• Sarcoidosis
• Hypercalcemia
• Hypocalcaemia Apart from the above diseases/conditions, several bodily symptoms can call for a calcium test. You may require a calcium test due to the following symptoms:

• Excessive tiredness
  
• Excessive weakness
• Lower appetite than normal
• Pain in the abdominal region
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Feeling thirsty all the time
• Pain in the bones and joints
• Being immobilised for an extended period Doctors can also advise a calcium blood test for people taking too much calcium as medication. Why Get Tested for Complete Blood Calcium? When the calcium levels in our body go higher or lower than the optimal level, we require a complete calcium blood test. If the calcium levels go up or down by a little, there might not be any visible symptoms. However, a rise or fall in calcium levels by a considerable margin can invite some symptoms. When Get Tested for Complete Blood Calcium? One should always be aware of the calcium levels in the body. Ideally, one should get a complete calcium blood test yearly to ensure everything is in order. People having diseases like hyperthyroidism, sarcoidosis, hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, and hypocalcaemia might need a complete calcium blood test more often. People suffering from such diseases might need a complete calcium blood test every three months. Sample Required Like any other blood test, the blood sample is needed for a complete calcium blood test. A needle is inserted in a vein of the arm/hand to get the blood required for the test. A tourniquet is tied to the upper arm by the lab technician before taking out the blood sample for a calcium test. Is Fasting Required Before a Complete Calcium Blood Test? A complete calcium blood test requires fasting for six hours. For six hours before the calcium test, one does not have to eat anything. However, one can drink water before a complete calcium blood test. For more information, it is better to consult the lab technician before taking a complete or ionised calcium blood test.