Calciummfrspec
A calcium blood test measures the amount of calcium in your blood to evaluate bone health, nerve function, and heart health.
{"Measures calcium levels in blood serum","Helps diagnose bone disorders, nerve problems, and heart conditions","Normal range: 8.5-10.5 mg/dL","Simple blood draw required","Results help doctors check parathyroid function"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 87477-6
- Short code
- Ca
- Synonyms
- Calcium MFr Spec
- Category
- electrolyte
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST/gel tube) or plain red top tube
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 8.5
- Ref high
- 10.5
- Critical range
- 6 not specified – 13 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Spectrophotometry (Arsenazo III or O-cresolphthalein complexone method)
- CPT
- 82310
- SNOMED
- 271435006
- Specimen volume
- 1.0-2.0 mL of serum minimum; 3.5 mL preferred for full panel
- Stability
- Room temperature: 1-3 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): up to 7 days; Frozen (-20°C or below): up to 1 month; Protect from light exposure
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 1–4 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A calcium blood test measures the level of calcium in your blood serum. Calcium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in bone health, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. This test is part of a routine metabolic panel and helps doctors assess how well your body is regulating calcium.
During the test, a healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from your arm using a needle. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The procedure usually takes just a few minutes and is generally not painful, though you may feel a brief pinch when the needle is inserted.
Reference range
8.5-10.5 mg/dLnot specified
No fasting or special preparation required
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Abnormal calcium levels can indicate various health conditions. High calcium (hypercalcemia) may suggest problems with parathyroid glands, certain cancers, or excessive vitamin D intake. Low calcium (hypocalcemia) can be related to kidney disease, vitamin D deficiency, or parathyroid disorders. Your doctor uses these results along with other tests to diagnose and monitor conditions affecting your bones, kidneys, and nervous system.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before the test?
What is the normal calcium range?
What happens if my calcium is too high or too low?
Can medications affect my calcium test results?
Sources
- 1
- 2
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