Lab test · Vitamins
Serum Calcium
Calcium level, bones & nerves
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Calcium level, bones & nerves
This test measures the total amount of calcium in your blood. Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth, and also for nerves, muscles and the heartbeat to work properly. The level is kept in a narrow range by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D, so an abnormal result can point to problems with these hormones, the kidneys or the bones.
Why a doctor may order it
- If you have muscle cramps or tingling around the mouth or in the fingers
- If you have bone pain, thin bones or kidney stones
- To check for problems with the parathyroid glands or vitamin D
- If you have unexplained tiredness, thirst, constipation or confusion, which can occur with high calcium
- To monitor kidney disease or some cancers
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You can eat and drink as you usually do. If you take calcium or vitamin D supplements, tell your doctor, as they can affect the result. Keep taking your usual medicines unless your doctor has told you otherwise; some water tablets can change calcium levels.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- The collector draws a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm at your home. It takes a few minutes, and you can eat and carry on as normal afterwards.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
The report shows your calcium next to the laboratory's reference range. Much of the calcium in blood is carried by the protein albumin, so a low albumin can make calcium look low, and some reports show an adjusted or 'corrected' calcium. High calcium can be linked to overactive parathyroid glands or some cancers, and low calcium to low vitamin D or kidney problems. Your doctor will interpret the result, sometimes with albumin, vitamin D or PTH tests.
What's included
One test: Serum Calcium, from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy)Vitamin D level, bone health৳1,450
- Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)PTH is a hormone made by the parathyroid glands, usually four small glands in the neck next to the thyroid.
- Serum AlbuminAlbumin is the main protein in the blood and is made by the liver.
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver, especially in the cells lining the bile ducts, and in bone.
- Phosphate (Inorganic Phosphorus)Phosphate level, bones & kidneys৳200
- Serum MagnesiumMagnesium level, muscles & heart৳550
Questions people ask
What is corrected calcium?
Much of the calcium in blood is attached to the protein albumin. Corrected calcium adjusts the total calcium for your albumin level, which gives a better estimate of the active calcium.
Does a normal calcium level mean my bones are healthy?
Not necessarily. The body keeps blood calcium steady even when bones are losing calcium, so a normal result does not rule out thin bones. A bone density scan is used to check bone strength.
Can vitamin D deficiency cause low calcium?
Yes. Vitamin D helps the gut absorb calcium, so a long-standing lack of vitamin D can lower calcium and weaken bones. Your doctor may check both.
How much does a Calcium test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳200, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Calcium test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Calcium report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.