ionized calcium test

Calcium is a vital mineral in the body and is required to keep the bones and teeth strong. It also helps in the muscular and nervous functions. There are several different forms of calcium in your blood, such as ionized calcium, calcium bound to other minerals called anions, and calcium bound to proteins, like albumin. Ionized calcium or free calcium is the most active form. The calcium test is a blood serum test that is performed to measure the total ionized calcium content in the blood. An ionized calcium test may be ordered in case you have abnormal levels of proteins, such as albumin, or immunoglobins in your blood.

24 to 36 Hours

A blood calcium test is often ordered as a general medical examination. The test may be ordered by your doctor to check your blood calcium levels, in case you have signs of kidney disease and stones, certain kinds of cancers, bone disease, or problems with your parathyroid gland.

Your doctor may order ionized calcium test, if -

• You have abnormal levels of blood proteins
• You are receiving blood transfusion
• You are on intravenous (IV) fluids
• You are undergoing a major surgery

You doctor may ask you to fast for six hours before the blood is drawn from your body. This means that you should not eat or drink anything other than water for six hours. You may be asked to stop taking certain medication that can affect the test results.

Specimen type: Blood Sample drawn from a vein in your arm