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Total Calcium Test

Dr. ReshmaLast Updated on 21st March 2022

Total Calcium test is a blood test used to measure the total amount of calcium, and they are attached to specific proteins in your blood. A total calcium blood test measures the calcium concentration of all the calcium in the blood, both bound and unbound. Total calcium is mostly included in a routine blood screening test, also known as a basic metabolic panel (BMP). A basic metabolic panel is a test that measures other substances in the blood, including calcium and different minerals. As you know, calcium is one of the most needed minerals of the body. The body requires it for maintaining your bones and teeth. It is also vital for the proper functioning of your nerves, heart, and muscles. As calcium is essential for many of your body’s functions, its levels need to be within a better range.

What is the Total calcium test used for?What is included in the total calcium test?Procedure for a total calcium test How to prepare for a total calcium test?What types of infection can a total calcium test detect?How much does a total calcium test cost?How long does it take to get the total calcium test results?What do abnormal total calcium test results indicate?Why book the total calcium test?Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Total calcium test used for?

A total calcium blood test is used as part of a routine check-up.
If you have calcium deficiency and related diseases, your doctor might advise you to get a total calcium test to check whether your treatment is working.
If you have signs or symptoms of having high calcium (hypercalcemia) or very little calcium (hypocalcemia) in your blood.
Your doctor may also order a calcium blood test if you have a pre-existing condition that may affect your calcium levels. These include kidney disease, parathyroid disease, cancer, or malnutrition.

What is included in the total calcium test?

Calcium can be tested for several reasons. Other tests will vary based on what your healthcare provider is looking for.

Blood glucose test: High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can be a sign of diabetes or insulin resistance (when the body does not respond to insulin, a hormone to help in controlling glucose levels). Your doctor can monitor your levels through glucose tests.

Kidney function test: Include blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and eGFR, which measures how well your kidney is filtering different chemicals in the blood. These tests measure how well your kidneys are working.

Vitamin D test: Your doctor may advise for a vitamin D test if you have vitamin D deficiency symptoms.

Phosphorus levels: This test is performed to see how much phosphorus is in your blood. Abnormal phosphorus levels can cause kidney, liver, and certain bone diseases.

Procedure for a total calcium test

Your healthcare will look for your vein, which is easily accessible.
A needle is inserted into the vein to draw the blood, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
Once the blood is drawn, the needle is removed, hold the puncture site with a cotton ball to stop the bleeding.
The sample is collected in a test tube or vial.
The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic.
Once the procedure is completed, they will put a bandage at the puncture site.
The entire procedure takes less than five minutes.

Book a total calcium test to check your parameter for the test level!

How to prepare for a total calcium test?

You don’t need any special preparations before a total calcium blood test if it is your only test as it is a part of the basic routine test.
If your healthcare provider has asked for multiple blood tests, in that case, you may need to fast several hours before the test.
Inform your doctor about all the medications you take before the tests, as some might interfere with your calcium test.
Your doctor might ask you to stop taking a few drugs before the test, such as antacids, diuretics for blood pressure, and vitamin D supplements.

Things to consider after the total calcium test is complete

Once your blood test is done, you are free to leave.
If you feel lightheaded or dizzy, sit comfortably for a few minutes.
You may have slight bruising or stinging where the needle was inserted.
Immediately inform your lab technicians if you have any side effects like infection, hematoma, or excess bleeding.
You will be informed about the date to collect the report.

What types of infection can a total calcium test detect?

There are many infections or diseases that a total calcium test can detect, including:

People with kidney disease
Malabsorption
Parathyroid disorder
Kidney stones
Thyroid disease
Cancer: (breast cancer, lung cancer, head, and neck cancer, multiple myeloma, and kidney cancer)
Malnutrition: It’s a condition where you are not eating enough or not eating the right food that will provide the appropriate nutrients needed for your body. When you are malnourished, your calcium levels will likely be very low.
Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland)
Hyperparathyroidism
Sarcoidosis
Bone disease (osteoporosis)
Liver disease
Nerve related problem

How much does a total calcium test cost?

The total calcium cost in India ranges from Rs 150 to Rs 2000. The cost changes based on locality, lab, quality & technology.

City	Average Price	Starting price	Price up to
Ahmedabad	Rs. 197.00	Rs. 80.00	Rs. 700.00
Bangalore	Rs. 182.00	Rs. 50.00	Rs. 50.00
Bhopal	Rs. 177.00	Rs. 70.00	Rs. 2000.00
Chandigarh	Rs. 150.00	Rs. 70.00	Rs. 700.00
Chennai	Rs. 160.00	Rs. 50.00	Rs. 700.00
Gurgaon	Rs. 193.00	Rs. 100.00	Rs. 700.00
Hyderabad	Rs. 198.00	Rs. 70.00	Rs. 700.00
Delhi	Rs. 180.00	Rs. 75	Rs. 700.00
Hyderabad	Rs. 198.00	Rs. 70.00	Rs. 700.00
Indore	Rs. 168.00	Rs. 120.00	Rs. 700.00
Kolkata	Rs. 206.00	Rs. 60.00	Rs. 630.00
Mumbai	Rs. 169.00	Rs. 70.00	Rs. 700.00

*Disclaimer: The value varies based on location, time, and your preferred lab partner.

How long does it take to get the total calcium test results?

You can expect to get the calcium test results within 24 to 48 hours after the sample is collected. However, in certain cases, depending on the location, medical advice, and preferred lab partner, it may take longer.

What do abnormal total calcium test results indicate?

Higher than normal levels may be due to several health conditions. Common causes include:

Excessive intake of vitamin D
Hyperparathyroidism
Hypercalcemia
Paget’s disease of the bone
Certain types of cancer

Due to calcium deficiency, you get certain diseases like

Kidney disease
Magnesium deficiency
Hypoparathyroidism is a condition in which your parathyroid glands produce too little parathyroid hormone
vitamin D deficiency
Pancreatitis

Disclaimer: Please consult with your doctor to interpret the test reports.

Is Total calcium a definitive test?

As you know, calcium is an essential mineral, important for strong and healthy bones and teeth. In addition, it helps in the proper functioning of your heart, muscles, and nerves. So, it makes sense why a calcium blood test would be a definitive test to undergo. Your healthcare provider will advise a calcium test to diagnose varieties of disorders.

How to read the total calcium test report?

Interpretations of total calcium levels:

Age	Normal range
<1 year	8.7-11.0 mg/dL
1-17 years	9.3-10.6 mg/dL
18-59 years	8.6-10.0 mg/dL
> or =60 years	8.8-10.2 mg/dL

Hypocalcemia: Below 8.5 mg/dL (Below 2.2 mmol/L approx.)

Hypercalcemia: Above 10.5 mg/dL (Above 2.7 mmol/L approx.)

If you have higher calcium levels than the normal range, you can have the following conditions:

Being on bed rest for a long time
Consuming too much calcium or vitamin D.
Hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid glands make too much of their hormone; often associated with a low vitamin D level).
Infections that cause granulomas such as tuberculosis and certain fungal and mycobacterial infections.
Multiple myeloma, T cell lymphoma, and certain other cancers.
A metastatic bone tumour (bone cancer that has spread).
Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or too much thyroid hormone replacement medicine.
Paget disease. Abnormal bone destruction and regrowth, causing deformity of the affected bones.
Sarcoidosis. Lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues become swollen or inflamed.
Tumours produce a parathyroid hormone-like substance.
Use of certain medicines such as lithium, tamoxifen, and thiazides.

Lower calcium than normal levels may be due to:

Disorders that affect the absorption of nutrients from the intestines
Hypoparathyroidism (parathyroid glands do not make enough of their hormone)
Kidney failure
A low blood level of albumin
Liver disease
Magnesium deficiency
Pancreatitis
vitamin D deficiency

Certain drugs can interfere with your test. However, your doctor will instruct you to stop taking the drug immediately. If your calcium levels are not in the normal range, that does not mean you have any medical condition. You should discuss with your healthcare practitioners what your results mean and what they may or may not indicate.

Book a total calcium test to check your Total Calcium level!

Why book the total calcium test?

Your healthcare practitioners will ask for a total calcium blood test for your routine medical check-up. A total calcium blood test may also be ordered if you manifest certain symptoms related to high or low calcium levels.

Some symptoms of high calcium levels are:

Increased thirstiness
Lack of appetite
Fatigue
Constipation
Vomiting
Nausea
High frequency to urinate
Headaches

Some symptoms of low calcium levels (Hypocalcaemia) are:

Brittle nails
Depression
Muscle cramps
Dryness
Scaling of the skin
Confusion
Irritation
Restlessness
Tingling in your fingers, feet, and lips
Having an irregular heartbeat
Muscle spasm

Your doctor might advise you to take a total calcium test if you have a medical condition that may impact your calcium levels. Many medical conditions influence your blood calcium levels, including:

Parathyroid conditions.
Malnutrition, especially too little or too much calcium and/or vitamin D in your diet.
Thyroid disease
Kidney disease.
Certain types of cancer.
Nerve problem
Bone disease (osteoporosis)
A problem associated with nutrient absorption in your intestines

Total calcium test at home – how does it work?

The total calcium test is just like any other blood test. A lab technician visits your home when you book your tests through the MFine app. The lab technician first cleans the arm and then inserts a syringe into a vein. The required amount of blood is then taken into a vial. The lab technician then removes the needle and places cotton wool or a bandage over the prick.

Are there any risks involved with the total calcium test?

A calcium blood test doesn’t have any serious risks like any other blood test. There is minimal risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruise at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

What can affect the results of the total calcium test?

Calcium blood tests could be affected due to several important factors. This test is often done simultaneously with other blood tests to get a better picture of your overall health. Certain medicines, such as certain types of diuretics, can change blood calcium levels and alter the test results, including:

Corticosteroids.
Calcitonin.
Cinacalcet.
Bisphosphonates.
Chloroquine.
Lithium.
Denosumab.
Rifampin
Excess intake of calcium carbonate
Foscarnet.
Thiazide diuretics
Plicamycin.
Hydrochlorothiazide

Important factors that affect calcium levels are the parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D, phosphorus, and magnesium levels.

PTH: The parathyroid hormone (PTH) controls calcium blood levels. Cells in the parathyroid gland – located in the neck just behind the thyroid – release PTH when they sense a drop in calcium blood levels. PTH raises blood calcium levels by increasing calcium absorption from the gut and kidneys.

Vitamin D: Active vitamin D increases calcium absorption in the gut and limits the amount of calcium lost via the kidneys.

Phosphorus: When phosphorus rises in the blood, calcium levels drop. Conversely, if phosphorus becomes depleted, calcium levels rise. This can sometimes lead to hypercalcemia.

Magnesium: Calcium levels are dependent on magnesium. When magnesium levels are normal, calcium is not affected. But if magnesium levels are low, it can suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) release. This leads to a drop in calcium levels. That’s why magnesium deficiency can be a cause of hypocalcemia.

Book total calcium to check your total calcium level!

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Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs

Is the lab technician coming for <lab test> sample collection vaccinated?

Yes. Our lab technicians are fully vaccinated. Further, they also ensure safety by wearing mask gloves and frequently sanitising themselves during the sample collection.

Does MFine provide the interpretation for the results along with the reports?

Yes, MFine provides the interpretation for the result and the reports. You can also avail a free medical consultation with a doctor to understand your reports accurately. The doctor will also advise and prescribe medicines, if required, based on the results.

How can I download my <lab test> test report?

Login to MFine
Go to your profile
Click on Attachment and Reports
Click on Lab Report
Download the report

Are there any discount offers running on the Total Calcium test?

Usually, you can avail up to a 50% discount on Total Calcium through MFine. However, the discount and test price may vary based on lab partner and location.

What can a calcium blood test show?

When blood contains too much calcium, the condition is called hypercalcemia. The cause is often a problem with the parathyroid glands and the hormone they produce. You should have this condition evaluated further. If left untreated, hypercalcemia can cause a variety of persistent symptoms and can lead to other health issues, including osteoporosis and kidney stones.

What causes high calcium in blood tests?

Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. These four tiny glands are situated near the thyroid gland in the neck. Other causes of hypercalcemia include cancer, certain other medical disorders, some medications, and taking too much calcium and vitamin D supplements.

What types of cancer have high calcium levels?

Types of cancer having high calcium levels (hypercalcemia) include cancers of the lung, breast, oesophagus, mouth, tongue, lip, kidney, ovary, uterus, and cervix. In addition, blood-borne cancers such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma can also cause high calcium levels.

What can cause calcium deficiency?

People are at high risk of calcium deficiency as they age. The deficiency may be due to several factors such as

Lack of vitamin D
Hypoparathyroidism (low PTH)
Plant-based diet
Not getting enough calcium for a long time
Dairy-free diets
Hormonal changes, especially in women
Few drugs intake reduce the calcium absorption
Genetic factors

What is the serum value that can cause hypercalcemia symptoms?

The level at which hypercalcemia symptoms occur varies from patient to patient. Symptoms are common when serum calcium levels are above 11.5 mg/dL, although patients may be asymptomatic at this level. Levels above 12.0 mg/dL are considered a critical value. Severe hypercalcemia (>15.0 mg/dL) is a medical emergency.

What food to avoid when calcium is high?

You can cut back on food rich in calcium. Most importantly, reduce or stop your intake of milk, cheese, cottage cheese, yoghurt, pudding, and ice cream. Also, avoid calcium-fortified orange juice or calcium-fortified ready-to-eat cereals.