Calciumbldvscnc
A blood test that measures the amount of calcium in your venous blood to evaluate bone health, nerve function, and heart health.
{"Measures calcium levels in blood using a venous blood sample","Helps diagnose conditions affecting bones, kidneys, and parathyroid glands","Abnormal levels may indicate nutritional deficiencies, kidney disease, or hormone disorders","Normal range varies by laboratory; typically 2.1-2.6 mmol/L (8.5-10.5 mg/dL)","Fasting is usually not required, but follow your doctor's instructions"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 42857-3
- Short code
- CA
- Synonyms
- Calcium BldV-sCnc
- Category
- electrolyte
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST/gold top) or plain red top tube; Plasma: Lithium heparin tube
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 2.15
- Ref high
- 2.55
- Critical range
- 1.63 not specified – 3.25 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- Spectrophotometry (Arsenazo III or OCPC method)
- CPT
- 82310
- SNOMED
- 271710001
- Specimen volume
- 2-3 mL serum or plasma
- Stability
- Room temperature: 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C): 3 months
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 40
- TAT
- 1–4 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A Blood Calcium Test measures the concentration of calcium in your venous blood. Calcium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in bone health, muscle contraction, nerve signal transmission, and blood clotting. This test is part of a routine metabolic panel and helps healthcare providers assess your overall health status.
How is the test performed?
A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm using a needle. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The procedure is quick and usually takes only a few minutes. You may experience slight discomfort or bruising at the puncture site, but serious complications are rare.
Why is it important?
Calcium is crucial for many body functions. Proper calcium levels are necessary for maintaining strong bones and teeth, enabling muscles to contract, helping nerves transmit signals, and allowing blood to clot properly. Both high and low calcium levels can indicate underlying health problems that need attention.
Reference range
2.15-2.55 mmol/Lnot specified
No fasting required; avoid prolonged tourniquet use
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings2
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before the test?
What is the normal range for blood calcium?
Can medications affect my calcium levels?
What happens if my calcium levels are abnormal?
How often should I have my calcium checked?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy