Doctor explains Calcium blood (lab) test including uses, interpretation of results and more...

In this video Doctor O'Donovan explains the calcium lab test including 1. What Calcium is 2. Why the test is used 3. What the result of the test might mean.
In the video I cover signs and symptoms of hyper and hypocalcemia and the meaning of adjusted or corrected calcium.
More information see: labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/c...
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Disclaimer:
The video is intended as an educational resource only. The information within this video or on this channel isn't designed to replace professional input, so if you have any medical issues please consult a medical provider. No professional relationship is being created by watching this video. Dr. O’Donovan cannot give any individual medical advice. All information should be verified for accuracy by the individual user. Dr O’Donovan accepts no responsibility for individual interpretation of data, although it is always accurate to the best of his knowledge at the time of the video being published. This is an EDUCATIONAL video. Images are used in accordance with fair use guidelines.
Legal information:
Content provided via KZbin is for general information purposes ONLY. Information videos are not produced to provide individualised medical advice. Medical education videos on Doctor O'Donovan are not a substitute for professional professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NEVER ignore professional medical advice because of something you have heard here. ALWAYS consult your doctor regarding any concerns about your condition or treatment.

[@sharmaineruado6703]

Your contents are all so helpful doctor. Glad to have found your channel.

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thank you 🙏🏻 👍🏼😊

[@mltlecturesacademy]

Nice job. You convey it to us in proper and convenient way

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thank you very much

[@mltlecturesacademy]

@@DoctorODonovan you welcome. Means a lot for me

[@kevinamgallagher-gadd9679]

Thank you! Your video calmed me down since I got real anxious when my doctor told me my calcium level was high.

[@DoctorODonovan]

Glad it helped!

[@sherimillman53]

Amazing thank you wish my Dr could tell me this

[@DoctorODonovan]

Happy to help

[@katherinestinson5468]

Thank you

[@DoctorODonovan]

Pleasure. Thanks for the comment

[@sherimillman53]

Thank you You are so kind thoughtful and amazing wish you the best of health and love and happiness 🙂

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thanks

[@pjames8712]

It should. High calcium levels can lead to heart trouble.

[@hayamalik2459]

It's amazing!

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thanks for watching.

[@jamesvaughan4274]

Hi I've had low calcium for years but I stared having odd muscle aches and have lost muscle could that be related to low calcium my calcium level is 2.1 many thanks

[@madmax200769]

Great video. Would be useful to have more detail distinguishing testing for total v's corrected/ionised calcium, how and why tests can go wrong and the risks of a doctor ordering total calcium where free calcium would be an appropriate diagnostic test. There seems to be widespread confusion even among doctors as to appropriate tests and what these reveal. I've just asked my doc for free calcium tests and got total calcium tests back instead. Hardly surprising that total calcium test is normal but I have signs of fairly severe tetany. The doctor is refusing to do free/corrected calcium for me which is going to make diagnosing hypocalcaemia/hypoparathyroidism/secondary hyperparathyroidism problematic IMO.

[@Mahdi4Med]

Thx❤

[@DoctorODonovan]

No problem 😊

[@jeffpiper7430]

early this year had high calcium and actually went into delirium , dont remember any thing on the ambo ride from 1 hosp to another though they said i was active and talking ....was given some thing to bring the calcium down but given to much ,,, they had a hard time correcting it.... said later on some scale normal was 70 and i got down to 20 and neally died , couple of months later a blood test showed as fairly normal which the specilist clinic said was not normal in cases like this ,they still dont know the cause and are still investagating , any thoughts on the matter

[@shaunspellman2856]

I was diagnosed with hypercalcemia!!

[@maryuggen3857]

That was so incredibly informative! I just learned a year ago that my sister has Primary Hyperparathyroidism. It has literally destroyed her body. Is there a specific blood test to diagnose that? Thank you so much for this video.

[@tigertalks1567]

She needs calcium vit d and pht level allblood tests fasted at 8am at the ssme draw

[@whyme_141]

From last 2 years, my blood calcium level is very low. No matter how good diet i take, my whole body pains including every small joints like of fingers.....also developed hypertension and suddenly within 2 years, i can't digest milk. Unable to wakeup in the morning. Body shivers while waking up. Something is very wrong with me, no one is able to find the root cause. Also started getting double vision after sunset. Can't tolerate white light and noise.

[@Boyeaton1]

Ease back on the weed or even better, take a break:)

[@madmax200769]

Get tested for hypocalcaemia ASAP by a competent doctor. You will need free calcium, parathyroid hormone (intact or iPTH) and vitamin D (25OHD) and if possible calcitriol (1,25OHD). It might be hypocalcaemia via secondary hyperparathyroidism inducing hypocalcaemia and tetany (not tetanus). Your doctor may fob you off with 25-vitamin D and total calcium. This is not going to be sufficient to properly diagnose. If they've not read up on hypocalcaemia or tetany then you may need to give them a nudge. These conditions are relatively uncommon so they may not be familiar (my GP certainly isn't) Shivering sensation inside the body might be "internal tremors", this might also be connected to hypocalcaemia If hypocalcaemia is left untreated it can, in mild cases result in soft tissue calcification including catraracts. In more severe cases it can lead to seizures and in the most severe cases, death.

[@charleneduncan7256]

What if you have really low blood calcium, really low urinary calcium, but very high PTH? Vitamin D slightly low. Could it be possible to have a PTH in the 700’s and have low blood calcium if 7.5. Doesn’t sound like it could be either Hyper or Hypo parathyroidism. This has been very informative. Thank you!

[@madmax200769]

Sounds like Secondary Hyperparathyroidism. I should ask your doctor to check for that. This could stem from a number of causes so would need to be thoroughly investigated. Causes may include (but not limited to) CKD, kidney failure, severe vitamin D deficiency, Coeliac (over decades), Crohn's (over decades)

[@samuelpepys1199]

Superb talk. Just wanted to add that validation studies have shown that "albumin-corrected calcium" simply doesn't perform well in detecting abnormal ionized calcium. A better--and validated--method of diagnosing abnormal ionized calcium from routine data exists. To see it, search the web with these terms: ionized calcium calculator; 704; qxmd. REF: Clinica Chimica Acta 531:371, 2022

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thanks very much for this reference

[@sakshisharma7523]

My calcium serum is 10.10 is this normal?

[@janice5108]

I need to know what your calcium level is supposed to be. When I went to the doctors they told me it was supposed to be 125 and mine was five

[@user-vv7vn3ob6r]

Agree with comments below. However I don't think you mentioned hyperparathyroidism with normal calcium levels. UCLA Endocrine.

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thanks for commenting this

[@paulgabler1476]

Hi I’ve had a request to retake a blood test as I had low calcium, I’ve been having an a1C of around 39 for 4 or 5 years. Sometimes my left leg looks a bit swollen even a few seconds after getting up and there are times when it’s not swollen. The right leg is the one with varicose insufficiency, varicose veins. But the right leg strangely enough goes down properly overnight

[@Rene-uz3eb]

Doesn't seem like you can have significant hypercalcemia without symptoms to matter, like confusion lethargy etc

[@user-wt7yi3wn2q]

Dr my calcium level is high...I am afraiding

[@sarahcrawford1481]

Does tori in the mouth mean low or high calcium absorption? How to treat it?

[@DoctorODonovan]

tori?

[@marenkuether-ulberg3311]

What are the ranges for blood calcium levels? I have Familial Hypercalemia, ostepenia and breast cancer - with calcium levels more or less in the 10.8 range. I know that you don’t give medical advice but I’d like to know what is considered a normal range?

[@brad3378]

My lab work says the standard range (for me) is 8.7 - 10.2 mg/dL. I'm not sure if the range is the same for men and women.

[@marianne1959]

Don't see any links to hypercalcemia in description box..

[@DoctorODonovan]

Here it is: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypercalcemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355523

[@AliAkbar-uk4ev]

What if your calcium is high (10.7) and corrected calcium normal (9.5). What does that mean ?

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thank you so much for watching the video and taking time to leave a comment. Unfortunately (and I know this will be frustrating for you), I am unable to give individual medical advice out on this channel. This is because of medico-legal reasons, not knowing your full case, circumstances and it would be unethical of me to do so otherwise. I have included the general resources I used to make this video in the description box but I have to advise that you speak to your own health provider (e.g. doctor, nurse) so that they can properly assess your case. Thanks for understanding.

[@madmax200769]

Ask your doctor (GP/PCP) to do a diagnostic workup which includes parathyroid hormone (intact or iPTH), vitamin D status as well as a repeat of corrected calcium. It shouldn't be too difficult for them to figure out. The possibilities can easily be looked up on one of the widely published nomograms for parathyroid dysfunction. The tests are straightforward and looking up the results is trivial. On it's own, it's impossible to know what's happening re: calcium other than you have a test which indicates hypercalcaemia. It may be something as simple as very high serum vitamin D levels (25OHD) due to too much vitamin D supplementation, or it may indicate say primary hyperparathyroidism. Best not to try and guess. Get a healthcare professional to test as there could be more going off "under the hood". PTH testing should be done after fasting and you would need to halt any supplements for a while before having blood drawn. Again, your doctor should advise.

[@maxwell9557]

does high calcium in blood shown as high APOB?

[@DoctorODonovan]

APOB?

[@adonistech6940]

I have low-ionized calcium is 3.96 And normal range in the laboratory is 4.50--5.23 My vitamin D test is 22.2 The normal range is 30 But my total calcium is good I have a server headache and insomnia I feel my leg moves by itself Like restless leg syndrome especially when I rest or try to sleep I can't concentrate on anything Can ionized calcium cause this? And what are the reasons for it?

[@MyCold1]

Speak to your doctor.

[@Boyeaton1]

Did you find your answer?

[@adonistech6940]

@@Boyeaton1 yes It turned out that the cause of my insomnia headache and movement in my leg due to anxiety now I'm taking anti-depression and I feeling good🙏

[@Boyeaton1]

@@adonistech6940 Good to hear! Thanks for the reply

[@madmax200769]

Low ionised calcium can definitely cause these issues. Sounds like hypocalcaemia resulting in mild tetany possibly via low vitamin D function. I'd have a look at the symptoms for hypocalcaemia+tetany and discuss with your doctor. They should take this seriously. Other medications might mask the some of the problems successfully but if hypocalcaemia is present it can lead to serious long-term health issues, not least including the calcification of soft tissues, cataracts etc. If this calcium and D are chronically low then symptoms may exhibit seasonal variability as your underlying D levels rise and fall due to UVB exposure. The reasons are to do with voltage-gated ion channels within nerve junctions. In the absence of sufficient ionised/free calcium, sodium ions can flood in and result in unstable nerve activity. (These junctions act a little bit like semiconductors/transistors). The result can be hyperactivity/hypersensitivity which may include mood disorders, anxiety etc. as well as phenomena such as limb spams, cramps and spontaneous limb contraction (e.g. Trousseau Sign). Your doctor should either be familiar or know where to look this stuff up

[@crazydrummerofdoom]

My calcium blood test was 10.3 and I have kidney stones, I was also taking 15.000 iu of Vitamin d could either of these be the cause?

[@ratgreen]

I'm not a doctor, but if you were not taking vitamin K2 with it then yes possibly. Always take vitamin D with K2 unless instructed otherwise. K2 moves calcium out of the muscle and blood and into bone where it belongs. Just be super careful with K2. Best thing to do is buy a supplement that has vitamin D and K2 pre mixed (I use a spray that has both in it)

[@madmax200769]

Vitamin D is unlikely to be the cause (reference: Prof. R P Heaney) you may have an underlying condition such as primary hyperparathyroidism and your doctor should, as a matter of due diligence, be thoroughly testing you for proper parathyroid function and probably more than once.

[@jnolette1030]

My calcium screening score was 91. Mild plaque buildup apparently. My cholesterol was 164. I am 53 and used steroids for years. She told me to shop thd gear and is putting me on cholesterol lowering drugs. Kind of depressed

[@DoctorODonovan]

Sorry to hear this.

[@Boyeaton1]

Bro, forget the cholesterol lowering drugs, it's a slippery slope from then onwards. You can sort all that with diet alone and exercise. Just by stopping the juice is going to impact your results but by taking other chemical shit at the same time, you're never going to know what is helping. I would do 3 to 6 months off the roids and do blood work then go from there!

[@carliwells]

I am not a Dr. But start going for 30 minute walks 2 times a day, eat big green salads with a little extra virgin olive oil everyday, get a good one with high polyphenol, and take vitamin k2 with mk7 everyday. Get bloid rechecked and another calcium scan in 2 months, since they have tou taking statins take coq10 too, statins deplete coq10. And get off the statins if you can

[@JC-so4ey]

my calcium level 10.4 mg/dl do i have to worry ?

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thank you so much for watching the video and taking time to leave a comment. Unfortunately (and I know this will be frustrating for you), I am unable to give individual medical advice out on this channel. This is because of medico-legal reasons, not knowing your full case, circumstances and it would be unethical of me to do so otherwise. I have included the general resources I used to make this video in the description box but I have to advise that you speak to your own health provider (e.g. doctor, nurse) so that they can properly assess your case. Thanks for understanding.

[@charlotteab4606]

He said the same thing to ever.....

[@madmax200769]

Don't worry, be concerned, especially if it is routinely at the high end. Individual set points can vary but a value consistently in that range should be a cue for your doctor to do a proper investigative analysis of parathyroid function. Consistently high calcium shouldn't be ignored. See a professional.

[@sakshik.4192]

what did your doctor say ?

[@sffedits5007]

Bro iam a high school 12th student my ambition is also to become a doctor and a super specialist iam giving my NEET exam next year NEET is entrance exam for medical in India Pls guide me😊

[@DoctorODonovan]

I am sorry but I receive too many individual requests to provide individual help as I also work full time clinically as a doctor and these videos are made in my spare time. Good luck with your exam.

[@Boyeaton1]

Go natural. People are waking up to the big pharma scam. It won't be long before the conventional medicine becomes #1 killer (already #3)

[@JohnJohn-ux8gq]

Disclaimer you’re not giving medical advice, explaing my calcium and phosphorus are high . Does that mean calcification is creating plaques in my vains or heart My triglycerides are 250 Can you explain cause doctors only spend 15 minutes . Any information would be great

[@DoctorODonovan]

I'm really sorry but I can't provide individual clinical advice on this channel. This is designed as a general education channel. Please consult your doctor or health provider for individual questions and concerns. I hope you found the video informative nontheless. Best wishes.

[@michelleosborne9846]

You should stress the dangers of hypercalcemia.

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thanks - will include a link about hypercalcemia in the description box

[@utleychase7]

The calcium in my blood test was 10.6mg/dl…. Is this normal?

[@DoctorODonovan]

Thank you so much for watching the video and taking time to leave a comment. Unfortunately (and I know this will be frustrating for you), I am unable to give individual medical advice out on this channel. This is because of medico-legal reasons, not knowing your full case, circumstances and it would be unethical of me to do so. I have to advise that you speak to your own health provider (e.g. doctor, nurse) so that they can properly assess your case. Thanks for understanding.

[@sakshik.4192]

what did your doctor said?