• 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.

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Replace Junk with Subscription Snack Packs: A Practical Approach to Preventive Nutrition in India

Replace Junk with Subscription Snack Packs: A Practical Approach to Preventive Nutrition in India

India is witnessing a growing shift toward healthier eating habits, yet junk food consumption continues to rise across all age groups. According to ICMR and NFHS-5 data, high-calorie packaged snacks, sugary beverages and deep-fried foods contribute significantly to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risk. Replacing these items with nutritious snack alternatives is one of the simplest yet most effective steps toward preventive wellness.

Subscription snack packs offer a structured, convenient and affordable way to transition from unhealthy snacking to balanced nutrition. SecondMedic promotes this approach as part of a broader preventive health ecosystem that focuses on long-term behavioural change rather than temporary diets.

 

Why Indians are Choosing Healthy Snack Subscriptions

1. Convenience in fast-paced lifestyles

Urban and semi-urban households often depend on quick, accessible snacks to keep up with busy schedules. Healthy subscription packs bring pre-portioned nutrition directly to the doorstep.

2. Rising health concerns

India now ranks among the world’s highest in:

  • Diabetes prevalence

  • Childhood obesity

  • Hypertension

  • High cholesterol
     

Replacing junk food is essential for reducing these long-term risks.

3. Growing awareness of clean eating

People are moving toward:

  • Low-sugar

  • Low-sodium

  • High-fibre

  • High-protein

  • Non-fried
    snack alternatives.

     

4. Cost-effectiveness

Contrary to belief, balanced snack packs cost less than repeated purchases of unhealthy packaged foods.

 

What Makes Subscription Snack Packs Healthier?

Healthy snack packs are curated for balanced nutrition:

• Nuts and seeds

Rich in healthy fats, fibre and minerals.

• Millet-based snacks

Low GI, nutrient-dense and suitable for diabetics.

• Dried fruits

Provide natural sweetness without refined sugar.

• Roasted chana and legumes

Excellent plant-based protein sources.

• Low-sugar bars

Made from oats, dates, nuts and seeds.

• Whole-grain crackers

Better than refined flour biscuits.

• Herbal teas

Support digestion and relaxation.

These snacks reduce cravings while supporting metabolic health.

 

Why Junk Food Needs Replacement

• High in trans fats

Linked to heart disease and inflammation.

• Excess sugar

Promotes insulin resistance, weight gain and metabolic syndrome.

• Refined flour

Lacks fibre and elevates glucose rapidly.

• Additives & preservatives

May contribute to long-term digestive and metabolic issues.

• Instant cravings

Junk foods trigger overeating by stimulating dopamine pathways.

Replacing them with healthier options breaks this cycle.

 

How Subscription Snack Packs Support Preventive Healthcare

1. Portion control

Pre-measured servings reduce the risk of overeating.

2. Balanced nutrition

Snack packs provide fibre, healthy fats and micronutrients missing from typical Indian diets.

3. Reduced decision fatigue

Users do not have to search for healthy options daily.

4. Behavioural consistency

Weekly or monthly packs promote long-term habit formation.

5. Support for chronic disease management

Especially helpful for:

  • Diabetes

  • PCOS

  • Thyroid issues

  • Heart disease
     

SecondMedic integrates snack guidance into dietitian consultations and AI-driven nutrition analysis.

 

The Role of AI Health Guide in Smarter Snacking

SecondMedic’s AI Health Guide provides:

• Calorie and nutrient insights

Evaluates daily intake based on user habits.

• Snack recommendations

Based on medical conditions, preferences and goals.

• Craving pattern analysis

Identifies triggers for unhealthy eating.

• Personalised preventive plans

Aligns snacking habits with heart, gut and metabolic health.

This makes snack substitution easier and more sustainable.

 

How to Transition from Junk Food to Healthy Snack Packs

Step 1: Identify your biggest cravings

Sugary, salty, crunchy or fried?

Step 2: Find healthier alternatives

For example:

  • Replace chips ? roasted makhana

  • Replace sweets ? dates + nuts

  • Replace biscuits ? whole-grain crackers
     

Step 3: Use subscription packs for structure

Pre-curated boxes guide behaviour change.

Step 4: Track progress

Energy levels improve within 2-4 weeks.

Step 5: Build long-term habits

Consistency leads to metabolic improvement.

 

Conclusion

Replacing junk food with subscription snack packs is an effective and convenient step toward preventive wellness in India. By combining healthier ingredients, balanced nutrition and consistent delivery, subscription packs help individuals make better choices daily. With expert guidance and AI-driven insights from SecondMedic, these changes become sustainable, personalised and impactful for long-term health.

 

References

• ICMR - Dietary Patterns & Junk Food Consumption Study
• NFHS-5 - Nutrition Deficiencies & Lifestyle Data India
• NITI Aayog - Preventive Health & Nutrition Strategy
• WHO - Healthy Diet & Non-Communicable Disease Guidelines
• Lancet - Consumption Patterns & Cardiometabolic Risk
• Statista India - Healthy Snacking Trends
• EY-FICCI - Consumer Behaviour Toward Preventive Health

See all

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