Calcium Blood

What is a Calcium Blood Test?

Calcium blood tests are medical tests that measure the calcium levels in one's blood. There are actually two types: total calcium blood test and ionized calcium blood test. The ionized calcium test measures unattached calcium or ones separated from specific proteins in one's blood. The total calcium blood test, which is usually a part of a basic metabolic panel (BMP) test, measures both calcium attached to blood and unattached calcium.

How does it work?

Step One. Access and Download the Template

Ensure you have a digital and printable copy of the calcium blood test template when needed. Obtain a copy by doing either of the following:

• Clicking the Download Template or Use Template button
• Searcing Calcium Blood Test on Carepatron's template library search bar on the app or the website

Step Two. Interview, Assess, or Examine the Patient

Before requesting a calcium blood test, it's best that you interview, assess, or physically examine the patient for any symptoms or signs of having too much or too little calcium. Only then do you request a test using the template and write your observations or findings on the form.

However, should they not exhibit any, you may write routine bloodwork or checkup on the form since a calcium blood test is commonly included in a CMP or BMP.

Step Three. Collect the Sample

Since our calcium blood test template can be used as a request form, patients can bring it to the laboratory as proof of the requested test.

Step Four. Analyze and Interpret

Once the results come back, you may use the calcium blood test template to write down your patient's results and the corresponding interpretation.

Step Five. Securely Store the Template

Don't forget to securely store the template after you've made the most out of it. You may store it at a secure physical location. Alternatively, you can store digital copies of the completed calcium blood test template on Carepatron, a HIPAA-compliant EHR, where only relevant parties can access the information.

When would you use this test?

General physicians and nurses commonly request and use calcium blood tests for multiple reasons. Here are some of the reasons:

Assessing or Diagnosing

You may use the calcium blood test template when you notice your patient exhibiting signs or symptoms of hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia. Aside from that, you may also use it when you suspect your patient has a disease affecting your calcium levels. 

Monitoring

You may also use the calcium blood test template for monitoring both treatment and medication to monitor your patient's calcium levels, which signifies the approach's effectiveness. 

Routine Bloodwork

Whenever you order routine bloodwork, you automatically order a calcium blood test. Reasons for asking for routine bloodwork usually vary depending on the referring physician. 

Should you need a test measuring the calcium a patient has in their bones, you must use a bone density test instead of a calcium blood test. 

What do the results mean?

Result interpretations may vary depending on your patient's medical history, overall health, symptoms, other test results, and the provided range of the laboratory. However, typically the interpretation of the calcium blood test results is as follows:

• Higher than the normal range's upper limit: If your patient's calcium levels are higher than 10.2 Mg/dL, it means that they may have hypercalcemia caused by hyperparathyroidism or a specific type of cancer. 
• Lower than the normal range's limit: If your patient's calcium levels are lower than 8.2 Mg/dL, they may have hypocalcemia because of a problem with their kidneys, parathyroid glands, or medication.