Hypocalcemia laboratory findings: Difference between revisions
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* Calcium in blood is bound to albumin and measurement of the serum albumin is essential to distinguish true hypocalcemia. | * Calcium in blood is bound to albumin and measurement of the serum albumin is essential to distinguish true hypocalcemia. | ||
* 1 g/dL decrease in the serum albumin levels will lower the total calcium levels by approximately 0.8 mg/dL (0.2 mmol/L). | * 1 g/dL decrease in the serum albumin levels will lower the total calcium levels by approximately 0.8 mg/dL (0.2 mmol/L). | ||
* But these reduction in serum albumin levels does not affect serum ionized calcium levels and therefore no signs of hypocalcemia. | |||
* So, a patient who has a serum albumin level that is 2 g/dL (20 g/L) below normal will have a fall in serum total calcium level of 1.6 mg/dL (0.4 mmol/L). | |||
===Factors Interfere with Calcium Concentration Measurement=== | ===Factors Interfere with Calcium Concentration Measurement=== |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Overview
Measurement of the serum albumin concentration is essential to distinguish pseudohypocalcemia from true hypocalcemia. Laboratory investigations that detect alterations in parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and phosphate in the serum or urine aid in the differential diagnosis of the underlying etiologies. Other laboratory tests include serum alkaline phosphatase, liver function tests, coagulation profile, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urinary cAMP levels at baseline or after PTH challenge.
Laboratory Findings
CONFIRM HYPOCALCEMIA
- The first step in diagnostic approach to hypocalcemia includes repeat measurement of calcium levels and confirming the levels.
- Patient previous levels for serum calcium should also be reviewed, if possible or available.
Hypoalbuminemia
- Calcium in blood is bound to albumin and measurement of the serum albumin is essential to distinguish true hypocalcemia.
- 1 g/dL decrease in the serum albumin levels will lower the total calcium levels by approximately 0.8 mg/dL (0.2 mmol/L).
- But these reduction in serum albumin levels does not affect serum ionized calcium levels and therefore no signs of hypocalcemia.
- So, a patient who has a serum albumin level that is 2 g/dL (20 g/L) below normal will have a fall in serum total calcium level of 1.6 mg/dL (0.4 mmol/L).
Factors Interfere with Calcium Concentration Measurement
- In alkalosis, free calcium decreases due to enhanced binding of Ca++ to albumin. A rise in pH of 0.1 unit will cause an approximately 0.05 mmol/L (0.1 mEq/L) fall in ionized Ca++ concentration. Direct measurement of ionized calcium concentration may be required in critically ill patients with acid-base disorders.
- Hypoproteinemia may contribute to reduced total calcium levels.
- Excessive use of laxatives may lower blood calcium levels by increasing intestinal calcium loss.
- Hypocalcemia may be masked by calcium supplements taken shortly before specimen collection or the use of calcium-ion exchange resin in hemodialysis for hyperkalemia.[1]
Adjustment for Hypoalbuminemia
- Adjustment of total serum calcium concentration for changes in plasma albumin level:[2]
- Adjusted total calcium in mg/dL = Total calcium in mg/dL + 0.8 * (4 - Albumin in g/dL)
- Adjusted total calcium in mmol/L = Total calcium in mmol/L + 0.02 * (40 - Albumin in g/L)
Laboratory Differential Diagnosis of Hypocalcemia
Abbreviations: ADHP, autosomal dominant hypoparathyroidism; CKD, chronic kidney disease; Cr, creatinine; Def, deficiency; HP, hyperphosphatemia; HPTH, hypoparathyroidism; PHP, pseudohypoparathyroidism; VDDR, vitamin D-dependent rickets.[3]
↓Ca | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
↑PTH | ↔↓PTH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
↑PO4 | ↔↓PO4 | ↔Mg | ↓Mg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
↑Cr | ↔Cr | ↓25(OH)D | ↔↑25(OH)D | HPTH | ADHP or Mg def | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CKD | PHP or HP | Vitamin D def | ↓1,25(OH)2D | ↑1,25(OH)2D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type I VDDR | Type II VDDR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References
- ↑ Fischbach, Frances (2015). A manual of laboratory and diagnostic tests. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health. ISBN 978-1451190892.
- ↑ "Correcting the calcium". British Medical Journal. 1 (6061): 598. 1977-03-05. ISSN 0007-1447. PMC 1605322. PMID 843828.
- ↑ Ferri, Fred (2015). Ferri's clinical advisor 2015 : 5 books in 1. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Mosby. ISBN 978-0323083751.