• Published on: Dec 08, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

What Is A Calcium Blood Test?

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What is a calcium blood test?

The calcium blood test is a simple and popularly used test for determining one's "risk" for a variety of diseases.  A patient will typically have in-office phlebotomy to obtain blood, with lab technicians then taking the sample to check the level of calcium in the blood with point-of-care laboratory equipment.

Due to its accuracy and low cost, it is used extensively in clinical laboratories as a screening tool for numerous conditions related to metabolic disorders such as diabetes or hyperparathyroidism including but not limited to increased risk of bone fractures.

The 'calcium blood test is performed to determine the calcium concentration in the blood. The level of calcium varies with age, habitation location, pregnancy status, and medications being taken. Calcium plays an important role in muscular relaxation, nerve impulse transmission, regulating vital body activity, bone metabolism, and also enables teeth mineralization.

A calcium blood test checks for an imbalance in the levels of two types of calcium in the bloodstream. It measures the level of ionized and total serum calcium. If one exceeds the other, it can be a sign that there is a problem with absorbing or regulating all types of calcium.

In recent years new research has emerged suggesting that typical Western diets—which are high in sugar intake—both promote not only diabetes but also cardiovascular disease by causing chronic stress on our body’s ability to regulate glucose metabolism and to create insulin resistance, which triggers high levels of sugar-induced inflammation toxins (specifical fructose) that interfere with cellular metabolism and DNA signaling pathways.

A calcium blood test is a procedure that measures the amount of calcium in your blood. Depending on how high or low the levels are, this could mean many things. A high level of serum calcium indicates hypercalcemia. This usually occurs when there is excessive production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by abnormal cells in your body, such as teratoma cancers and certain types of malignancies or polycythemia vera. The excess PTH increases renal clearance and resorption rates so you excrete more calcium than normal through urination, causing increased levels in the bloodstream. It may also occur with hyperparathyroidism (also called primary hyperparathyroidism), mineral bone disease.

The calcium blood test measures the amount of calcium in the blood and is used to screen for potential health problems such as kidney disease, intestinal bypass surgery, and pseudo fractures. A pseudo proximal fracture (also known as a false fracture) is a break on an X-ray that does not occur at or near a joint. Pseudo proximal fractures are more easily seen on bone films than plain films because they show calcification throughout the length of the bone where they usually do not appear on X-rays. Pseudo proximal fractures can be caused by any injury which pulls hard enough to allow quick formation of xanthotic new bone — 24 hours — just before healing occurs.

The estrogen hormone in girls and older women controls the level of calcium in their blood. Estrogen helps make more of the protein that keeps the body's calcium in the bones. It also tightens up muscle cells so they can't let go of this stored-up calcium when a bone is resorbed; instead, it stays around to keep bones strong. This means your child will need to eat about 2,500 mg per day - many times what she needs for bone health alone - just to maintain proper function!

High dietary intake early on encourages even stronger kidney lfts among 6-year-olds with type 1 diabetes. Testosterone levels also play a role because it regulates the production of an enzyme necessary for normal blood.

This blood test measures the level of calcium in someone's blood. The inverse correlation between bone density and fracture risk may have led to a common belief that increases in circulating levels of calcitriol, consistent with an increase in dietary intake, should be associated with a higher bone mineral content and a lower occurrence of fractures.

One way to measure calcium during a blood test is with the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D. If PTH levels are low, it may suggest the body does not need more calcium. Low or absent levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) may indicate:

  • the bone marrow has been destroyed and is no longer synthesizing new red blood cells
  • high liver fibrosis interfering with the production of PTH by the thyroid gland
  • irreversible kidney damage or chronic renal failure

Lower than average levels for this exam would include goiter/low iodine intake, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, malabsorption such as celiac disease. Higher

The calcium blood test measures the level of calcium in the person's bloodstream. Certain heart or kidney problems can show up on this particular type of test, but it is more commonly used to detect hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is generally caused by cancer cells which are rapidly increasing in number and will often cause symptoms that include bone pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion. It can also sometimes lead to arrhythmias or altered mental states.

A calcium blood test measures the level of calcium in the blood. This reveals how much protein you're breaking down to provide your tissues with extra energy because protein is broken down into its main component--glucose (or sugar).

Osteoporosis, osteopenia, or bone fracture prevention.

High levels of vitamin D deficiency.

Metabolic acidosis (not enough acid in bloodstream) .

Kidney failure.

Lactate buildup due to anaerobic metabolism. The body switches from aerobic metabolism for simple tasks to anaerobic metabolism when you run out of oxygen during intense exercise, causing lactate accumulation that can lead to fatigue.

Read Blog
Preventive Health Packages in India: Early Detection for a Healthier Future

Preventive Health Packages in India: Early Detection for a Healthier Future

In today’s fast-paced world, healthcare is shifting from treatment to prevention. With the rising burden of lifestyle diseases, preventive health checkups are no longer optional — they’re essential. India’s growing healthcare awareness and digital health accessibility make early testing easier than ever.

The Growing Need for Preventive Health in India

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, and heart disease account for over 60% of deaths in India (WHO 2024). Many of these illnesses develop silently, showing no symptoms until significant damage occurs.

Preventive health packages identify these early — offering a chance for timely treatment and lifestyle correction before conditions worsen.

A 2024 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found that 70% of Indian adults had at least one risk factor for chronic disease — obesity, high BP, or elevated sugar. Regular screening reduced hospital visits by nearly 40%.

Benefits of Preventive Health Packages

  1. Early Detection of Hidden Illnesses
    Regular screening helps detect early-stage diabetes, cholesterol issues, or liver disorders that may go unnoticed for years.
     

  2. Cost-Effective Health Management
    Preventive checkups cost far less than hospitalization or long-term treatment of advanced diseases.
     

  3. Personalized Health Monitoring
    SecondMedic’s packages are customized by age, gender, and medical background, ensuring relevant, actionable results.
     

  4. Convenience & Comfort
    Free home sample collection and online report access eliminate the hassle of long lab visits.
     

  5. Doctor-Backed Guidance
    Each SecondMedic preventive package includes a follow-up online consultation with expert physicians who explain results and suggest next steps.
     

Why Choose SecondMedic Preventive Health Packages

  • Trusted Diagnostics: NABL-certified partner labs

  • Holistic Packages: Cover all vital systems — heart, kidney, thyroid, liver, hormones

  • Digital Health Reports: Accessible via the SecondMedic dashboard

  • Integrated Care: Book tests, get reports, and consult doctors — all in one place

  • Affordable Pricing: Comprehensive packages starting ?799 onward
     

SecondMedic empowers users to take control of their health, not wait for symptoms to appear.

Ideal Frequency of Preventive Tests

Age Group

Frequency

Focus Areas

18–30

Once a year

CBC, thyroid, vitamins

31–45

Every 6–12 months

Sugar, lipid, liver, renal, thyroid

46–60

Every 6 months

Cardiac risk, kidney, hormonal

60+

Twice a year

Full body + bone health, cancer markers

Common Conditions Caught Early

  • Prediabetes ? diabetes prevention with lifestyle correction

  • Thyroid imbalance ? managed with supplements and diet

  • High cholesterol ? reduced risk of heart attack

  • Liver enzyme rise ? early detection of fatty liver or hepatitis
     

 

Conclusion

Health is an investment — not an expense. Regular preventive health checkups empower you to live longer, stronger, and smarter. In a country where lifestyle diseases are rising, early detection is your best protection.

At SecondMedic, we make prevention effortless — from sample pickup to doctor review. Because good health starts with knowing where you stand.

Book your Preventive Health Package today at SecondMedic.com — India’s trusted partner in digital health & early detection.

 

Real Data & Links

  • ICMR 2024: 70% of Indian adults show chronic disease risk factors.
    icmr.gov.in
     

  • WHO India Report 2024: NCDs cause 60% of deaths in India.
    who.int
     

  • National Health Portal (NHP): Preventive care guidelines & packages.
    nhp.gov.in
     

SecondMedic Preventive Health Packages:
secondmedic.com/preventive-health-packages

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