Calcium (24 Hr Urine)
Calcium is an important mineral in the blood involving in blood clotting and also contributes to the strengthening of bones (calcium hydroxyapatite). Calcium is essential for bodily functions. Deficiency of calcium can lead to symptoms such as brain fog, dizziness, lightheadedness, numbness, tingling sensations, insomnia, depression, etc, and negligence in chronic cases can lead to kidney failure and can be life-threatening (fatal). This test evaluates the calcium level of the blood or urine to diagnose calcium disorders (metabolic disorders related to calcium) such as disturbances in nerve impulse conduction, neuromuscular irritability, alterations in the brain (calcification of basal ganglia, and also it can lead to convulsions), muscle contraction issues leading to spasm, alkalemia related tetany, arrhythmias, hormonal release, hormonal disorders (parathyroid), cataract and Bone disorders such as osteoporosis. This test measures the calcium level passed out in the urine helps in the screening for the diagnosis of kidney stones and parathyroid disorders. This test is also used to assess renal function.
CALCIUM – 24 HOURS URINE:
Why Calcium 24-hours urine Test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION
A test of calcium in urine is a 24 – hour test that checks the amount of calcium that is passed from the body in the urine. Calcium 24 hours urine helps to screen for diagnosis and monitor pathologies related to intestinal absorption of calcium or leakage of calcium through urine. It is also ordered in patient with symptoms such as parathyroid disorder, mal-absorption or/and overactive thyroid. Calcium is one of the most important minerals in the body for the normal physiological functioning of nerves, muscles, and the heart. Normal physiological levels of calcium are required for heart function, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. Normal levels of calcium when gets altered to high or low levels of calcium it can reflect as a sign of bone diseases, thyroid disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions. In the diagnosis of calcium-related disorders, two tests are performed – ionized calcium and total calcium. Ionized calcium accounts for unattached or free form of unbound calcium in proteins, while total calcium measures the calcium attached to specific proteins. Clinical manifestations of altered calcium levels are reflected by its symptoms. Symptoms of high calcium levels include nausea, vomiting, more frequent urination, increase thirst, constipation, abdominal pain, loss of appetite. Diseases associated with higher calcium levels are hyperparathyroidism, kidney or adrenal failure, sarcoidosis, Paget’s disease of the bone, excessive use of antacids, high intake of calcium from vitamin - D supplements or milk. Low levels of calcium show signs of symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, muscle spasm, muscle cramps, and tingling in lips, tongue, fingers, feet, etc. Diseases associated with lower calcium levels are hypo-parathyroidism, vitamin-D deficiency, magnesium deficiency, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), kidney diseases, osteoporosis, osteopenia, etc and symptoms of hypocalcemia in neonates include jitteriness, poor feeding, seizures, apnea (slow breathing), tachycardia. Certain diseases such as kidney diseases, thyroid diseases, malnutrition, and medications such as lithium, thiazide diuretics, antacids, atenolol (beta-blocker), colestipol (bile acid sequestrants), estrogen, digoxin, antibiotics – fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines etc and few cancer types with high or low levels of calcium may not reflect any clinical manifestation hence can remain asymptomatic. Other tests for calcium include bone density scan or dexa scan (type of x-ray scan).
General Instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen – Urine sample (24 hours). Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition / cases according to the patient’s presenting complaints/signs or symptoms:
SPECIMEN REQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
Sample Requirement: Urine Sample (24 hours)
Test Preparation: None
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory RT DIAGNOSTICS provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centers to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
