What does adjusted calcium mean?

Most commonly, laboratories report a value for ‘adjusted calcium’, (also known as corrected calcium), which is the measured calcium value adjusted for the albumin concentration.

What is adjusted corrected calcium?

In order to allow the use of a single reference interval for total calcium, irrespective of albumin concentration, the total calcium can be adjusted using a formula. This is known as the “corrected” or “adjusted” calcium.

Why do we use adjusted calcium?

The adjusted calcium value aims to compensate for the change in serum albumin. It probably isn’t completely accurate, and sometimes an IONIZED calcium can be measured directly. NOTE: adjusted calcium values shown on PatientView are sent directly from local lab computer systems, not calculated by the PatientView system.

How do you calculate adjusted calcium?

The adjustment formula is as follows:

  1. Corrected Calcium mg/dL = (0.8 * (Normal Albumin – Pt’s Albumin)) + Serum Ca.
  2. Corrected Calcium mmol/L = (0.02 * (Normal Albumin – Pt’s Albumin)) + Serum Ca;

What is difference between calcium and adjusted calcium?

Only a small portion of total calcium measured in the blood, called “free calcium” or “ionized calcium,” is active in the body tissues. Generally speaking, total calcium levels are a good indicator of the proportion of free or ionized calcium.

What is the normal range for calcium blood test?

At UCLA, the normal range for blood calcium level is 8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL. In order to maintain a normal calcium level, the body uses hormones to regulate blood calcium levels.

What happens if calcium levels are too high?

Hypercalcemia is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is above normal. Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how your heart and brain work. Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands.

What is normal calcium level?

The normal regulation of calcium in our blood stream is similar to the way a thermostat works. The body is set to have a normal amount of calcium (somewhere between 8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL).

What is a critical calcium level?

Although serum calcium levels above 11.5 mg/dL commonly cause symptoms, patients may be asymptomatic at this level. Critical levels are reached above 12 mg/dL, with levels above 15 mg/dL (severe hypercalcemia) being a medical emergency.