Calcium
Calcium in the blood is needed for nerves, muscle contraction and the heartbeat. Blood levels are tightly controlled by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D, so they don't reflect bone calcium or diet very well.
Your reading
This app uses 8.5–10.5 mg/dL. About half of blood calcium is carried by albumin, so a low albumin makes calcium look falsely low. A high calcium on repeat tests is most often caused by an overactive parathyroid gland, or by too much vitamin D from supplements.
What may help
- —Calcium from food (dairy, fortified plant milks, tinned fish with bones, leafy greens) rather than high-dose supplements
- —Checking vitamin D and albumin alongside it
- —Avoiding very high-dose vitamin D supplements without testing
When to talk to a doctor
If calcium is above 10.5 on a repeat test, or you have muscle cramps, tingling, unusual thirst or kidney stones with an abnormal result.
Common questions
What is Calcium?
Calcium in the blood is needed for nerves, muscle contraction and the heartbeat. Blood levels are tightly controlled by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D, so they don't reflect bone calcium or diet very well.
What is a normal Calcium level?
Daygo uses 8.5–10.5 mg/dL as the reference range. This app uses 8.5–10.5 mg/dL. About half of blood calcium is carried by albumin, so a low albumin makes calcium look falsely low. A high calcium on repeat tests is most often caused by an overactive parathyroid gland, or by too much vitamin D from supplements.
How can I improve my Calcium?
Calcium from food (dairy, fortified plant milks, tinned fish with bones, leafy greens) rather than high-dose supplements. Checking vitamin D and albumin alongside it. Avoiding very high-dose vitamin D supplements without testing.
When should I see a doctor about Calcium?
If calcium is above 10.5 on a repeat test, or you have muscle cramps, tingling, unusual thirst or kidney stones with an abnormal result.
Source: MedlinePlus (NIH): Basic Metabolic Panel. Reference ranges are standard adult intervals — your own lab may report a different range for your age, sex, or method. This isn't medical advice; always go by the range on your actual results and talk to a clinician about anything that concerns you.