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Tag: Ionized calcium

Explore our comprehensive collection of health articles in this category.

Does Lactate Have Calcium? The Crucial Distinction

5 min read
A 2020 review in the journal *Metabolites* highlighted the paradigm shift in understanding lactate's role, from a waste product to a vital cellular fuel. Despite its importance, confusion persists regarding its composition, with many asking, "Does lactate have calcium?"

Understanding Why Hypoalbuminemia Causes Hypocalcemia

4 min read
Approximately 40% of the total calcium in your blood is bound to plasma proteins, primarily albumin. Therefore, a drop in albumin levels, a condition known as hypoalbuminemia, directly impacts the measurement of total serum calcium, creating a lab result that suggests hypocalcemia.

How to Reduce Ionized Calcium: Treatments, Diet, and Causes

6 min read
Approximately 50% of the calcium in your blood is in its ionized, or free, form, which is the biologically active fraction. When this level becomes elevated, a condition known as hypercalcemia, it can signal a serious underlying health problem and requires proper management.

What is the Normal Value of Calcium in the Body?

4 min read
According to the Endocrine Surgery team at UCLA Health, the normal blood calcium level for adults is often cited as 8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL, though ranges can vary slightly between different laboratories. Knowing this reference range is crucial for understanding your health, as calcium is a vital mineral for numerous bodily functions. This article breaks down the intricacies of calcium levels and their importance.

What is the physiological concentration of calcium in the body?

3 min read
The human body contains approximately 1-1.3 kg of calcium, with over 99% stored in the bones and teeth. The physiological concentration of calcium circulating in the blood, though a tiny fraction of the body's total, is meticulously regulated and vital for numerous bodily functions.

What are the physiological values of calcium?

4 min read
Over 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, with the remaining 1% playing a vital role in blood and cellular function. Understanding the physiological values of calcium is essential for monitoring overall health, as imbalances can affect the nervous system, muscles, and heart.

Why Does Albumin Cause Low Calcium? A Medical Explanation

4 min read
Approximately 40% of the body's calcium circulates bound to a protein called albumin. This is the key reason why a low albumin can cause low calcium levels to be reported in a standard blood test, a phenomenon known as pseudohypocalcemia, without a true deficiency of active calcium.

How do you measure your calcium levels? A Complete Guide to Testing

3 min read
Did you know that less than 1% of the calcium in your body is in your bloodstream, yet this small amount is vital for normal nerve, muscle, and heart function? To assess this critical balance, doctors use several methods. This guide will explore exactly how do you measure your calcium levels and what the different types of tests reveal.

Why does acidosis increase calcium? A deep dive into the physiological mechanisms

4 min read
Approximately 50% of the body's total calcium circulates as physiologically active ionized calcium. A decrease in blood pH, a condition known as acidosis, significantly increases the concentration of this free ionized calcium by disrupting the binding of calcium to plasma proteins like albumin. This effect is a critical, yet often misunderstood, aspect of acid-base balance and mineral metabolism.