In our bodies, calcium is a mineral that makes up our bones, as well as a salt that dissolves in our blood and regulates bodily function.At UCLA, the normal blood calcium level is a range of 8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL.
In order to maintain a normal calcium level, the body uses hormones to regulate blood calcium levels.
The normal regulation of calcium in our blood stream is similar to the way a thermostat works. The body is set to have a normal amount of calcium (somewhere between 8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL).
The parathyroid glands can be thought of as the “calcium thermostat” of the body. The parathyroid glands are a group of four glands neighboring the thyroid gland that are the main regulators of the blood calcium levels in your body (seeParathyroid Glands-Illustration).
Parathyroid glands release parathyroid hormone (PTH), which increases your blood calcium levels. If the calcium levels are too low, the parathyroid glands will release PTH that will raise blood calcium to the appropriate levels. If the calcium levels are too high, the parathyroid glands will stop releasing PTH to try to bring the calcium back down to normal.
Lab
Normal range (conventional units)
Normal Range (SI units)
Calcium (serum)
8.6-10.3 mg/dL
2.2-2.6 mmol/L
Calcium (ionized)
4.4-5.2 mg/dL
1.1-1.3 mmol/L
PTH (parathyroid hormone)
11-51 pg/mL
11-51 ng/L
Creatinine (marker of kidney function)
0.6-1.3 mg/dL
53.0-114.9 µmol/L
Vitamin D 25,hydroxy
30-80 ng/mL
121.4-323.7 nmol/L
What Is a High Calcium Level?
Your blood calcium level would be considered high if it surpasses the upper limit of the normal range, meaning it is greater than 10.3 mg/dl. Keep in mind that “normal” reference ranges may differ depending on who is processing your labs. This is because different laboratories use varying groups of people who are considered ‘normal’ to determine reference ranges. It is important to re-check your calcium levels after receiving one elevated blood calcium result to confirm high calcium levels, otherwise called hypercalcemia. SeeHypercalcemia.
After confirming a high calcium, your physician would then typically run a parathyroid hormone laboratory panel. The results of this panel will reveal whether or not your high calcium level is due to over-production of PTH from the parathyroid glands (seeHigh Calcium).
Uncommonly, high blood calcium levels are due to something other than hyperparathyroidism, such as cancers or malignancies not from the parathyroid gland.However, in most patients, high calcium levels are caused by hyperparathyroidism, a condition when the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone.
High levels of parathyroid hormone lead to the movement of calcium from the bone and into the blood. Thus, hyperparathyroidism can lead to weaker bones, bone fractures, and other complications such as kidney stones. SeeHyperparathyroidism.
Other Common Calcium Lab Ranges
Age
Males (mg/dL)
Females (mg/dL)
LabCorp Normal Calcium Reference Ranges
18-59 years
8.7-10.2
8.7-10.2
>59 years
8.6-10.2
8.7-10.3
Quest Labs Normal Calcium Reference Ranges
20-49 years
8.6-10.3
8.6-10.2
>49 years
8.6-10.3
8.6-10.4
Have Questions About Normal and High Calcium Levels?
Most laboratories report total serum calcium concentration, which ranges between 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.12 to 2.62 mmol/L). Ionized calcium can also be measured, and the normal range is 4.65 to 5.25 mg/dL (1.16 to 1.31 mmol/L). Numbers below this range are considered to be hypocalcemic.
Normal values range from 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL (2.13 to 2.55 millimol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The average adult needs 1,000 mg of calcium per day. The amount increases to 1,200 mg per day for women over the age of 50 and men over the age of 71. "It's best for your calcium intake to come from your diet, which is very achievable since it's a mineral found in many foods," says Dr.
Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. A normal range of total blood calcium in adults is usually between 8.5 and 10.3 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL). A normal ionized calcium level generally ranges between 4.6 to 5.3 mg/dL.
Calcium is one of the essential ions necessary for normal functioning of the organism. The serum calcium concentration under physiological conditions is kept within narrow range between 2.25 to 2.65 mmol/l.
Most laboratories report total serum calcium concentration, which ranges between 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.12 to 2.62 mmol/L). Ionized calcium can also be measured, and the normal range is 4.65 to 5.25 mg/dL (1.16 to 1.31 mmol/L). Numbers below this range are considered to be hypocalcemic.
If the calcium level is greater than 10.5 mg/dl, there is too much calcium (hypercalcemia) in the blood, and the elevated levels can kill cells or cause other complications.
Hypercalcemia is a condition in which the calcium level in the blood becomes too high. Too much calcium in the blood can weaken bones and create kidney stones. It also can affect the heart and brain. Most often, hypercalcemia happens after one or more of the parathyroid glands make too much hormone.
The corrected total serum calcium concentration is normally 8.5-10.2 mg/dL, but there is no sure means of predicting the serum calcium level, for either hypocalcemia or hypercalcemia, at which symptoms will occur. The rapidity of change, as well as the absolute serum calcium concentration, impacts symptom development.
A score of 100 to 300 means moderate plaque deposits. It's associated with a relatively high risk of a heart attack or other heart disease over the next 3 to 5 years. A score greater than 300 is a sign of more extensive disease and a higher heart attack risk.
Zero: No plaque. Your risk of heart attack is low. 1 - 10: Small amount of plaque. You have less than a 10 percent chance of having heart disease, and your risk of heart attack is low.
Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
