Essential divalent mineral
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High-quality testing run in a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab in Santa Clara, California.
About Calcium
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About Calcium
Overview and History
Calcium is an alkaline earth metal and a divalent cation (Ca2+) that functions as both a structural element and a signalling ion. Most body calcium is stored in the skeleton as mineralized matrix, while a small but tightly regulated fraction circulates in blood and participates in cellular communication, muscle contraction, blood-clotting cascades, and enzyme activity.
In laboratory assessment, circulating calcium appears in ionized (free), protein-bound, and complexed forms; total serum calcium is commonly reported but is influenced by blood protein levels, especially albumin. Understanding calcium requires considering related factors such as vitamin D status, phosphate, magnesium, and hormonal regulators that control absorption, storage, and excretion.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Elevated circulating calcium may be associated with increased bone release, higher vitamin D activity, reduced renal excretion, dehydration, certain medications, or laboratory factors that concentrate blood. Interpreting higher values requires assessment of related markers and clinical context.
Low circulating calcium can be associated with reduced dietary absorption or vitamin D activity, changes in protein binding (low albumin), increased losses, or altered hormonal control of mineral balance. Low values are best interpreted alongside other nutrients, renal markers, and electrolyte measurements within the full panel.
Featured Test
Calcium is included in the Nutrient Zoomer to evaluate mineral and electrolyte balance, interactions with vitamin D, phosphate, and magnesium, and how genetic and metabolic factors influence calcium handling. Paired with other nutrient and genetic data, serum calcium helps reveal patterns of mineral transport, cellular signaling, and systemic balance that inform personalized nutritional strategies.
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Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
