Serum calcium

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Ca+2; Calcium - serum; Ca++

Normal values range from 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.

Abnormal results indicate the following:

Higher-than-normal levels may indicate:

• Hyperparathyroidism
• Metastatic bone tumor
• Milk-alkali syndrome
• Multiple myeloma
• Paget's disease
• Sarcoidosis
• Tumors producing a PTH-like substance
• Vitamin D intoxication
• Excessive calcium intake
• Prolonged immobilization
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
• Addison's disease (underactive adrenal gland)
• Thiazide diuretics
• Lithium
• HIV/AIDS

Lower-than-normal levels may indicate:

• Hypoparathyroidism
• Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
• Osteomalacia
• Pancreatitis
• Renal failure
• Rickets and vitamin D deficiency
• Liver disease (decreased albumin production)
• Low serum magnesium

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Delirium
• Dementia
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) II
• Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) I
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Secondary hyperparathyroidism

Review Date: 03/13/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, M.D., Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.