Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Calcium (adjusted)

Suitable Specimen Types

Li Hep

Calcium (adjusted)

Specimen Volume

5 mL blood

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge

Turnaround Time

1 day

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

Usual.

General Information

Hypocalcaemia can present as paraesthesiae, muscle cramps and spasms, whilst hypercalcaemia may present non-specifically as anorexia, abdominal pain, altered mentation, polyuria etc.

Hypomagnesaemia can both mimic and cause hypocalcaemia.

[Calcium] must always be interpreted in relation to [albumin]

The following equations can be used to correct the calcium relative to the albumin concentration:

  • If albumin <40: Adjusted Calcium = [Total Calcium] + 0.02(40 – [Albumin])
  • If albumin >40: Adjusted calcium = [Total Calcium] - 0.02([Albumin]-40)

 

These formulae are unreliable with [albumin] <25 g/L, with abnormal concentrations of globulins (which also bind calcium), jaundice, high [free fatty acids] or abnormal blood [H+], or in paediatric patients. 

 

 

 

 

Patient Preparation

None

Notes

Prolonged tourniquet use, administration of vitamin D or bendrofluazide can increase calcium concentration

EDTA or citrate contamination will decrease calcium concentration

 

 

Reference Range

Adult male/female reference range: 2.2-2.6 mmol/L

(Pathology Harmony)

Specifications

  • EQA Status:

    NEQAS

  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

http://www.acb.org.uk/docs/default-source/committees/scientific/amalc/calcium.pdf http://uhbpolicies/assets/WmHypercalcaemia.pdf

Tags

Bone Tests

Related Tests

Albumin Calcium (Urine) Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Phosphate (serum) Vitamin D (25-OH VitD)

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Wednesday, 02 October 2019

General Information

General information about the website and its content

Read more

Location of Laboratories

Where the laboratories are located and information about the services offered at each laboratory

Read more

Copyright UHB Pathology 2018

Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962