Calcium, Fluid Test
About Calcium, Fluid test
Calcium is an important mineral that takes part in various biological functions, such as maintaining bone and teeth strength, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. Calcium, fluid test measures the level of calcium in a specific body fluid other than blood and urine. These body fluids may include cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, or synovial fluid.
This test may be recommended to provide valuable information about certain conditions. For example, high levels of calcium in the cerebrospinal fluid may indicate bleeding in the brain or spinal cord whereas high levels in the pleural fluid, which is the fluid surrounding the lungs, could be an indication of either tuberculosis or lung cancer.
Symptoms of bleeding in the brain
Sudden, severe headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Confusion
Lack of energy
Difficulty swallowing
Abnormal heart rate
Trouble breathing
Loss of vision
Symptoms of tuberculosis/lung cancer
Fever
Cough
Weight loss
Chest pain
Why is Calcium, Fluid test done? Calcium, fluid test is recommended in the following conditions
If you are experiencing symptoms that suggest a problem with the amount of calcium in a specific body fluid (e.g. lung cancer)
To monitor the effectiveness of treatment for a condition that affects calcium levels
Preparation for the test
No special preparation is required for calcium, fluid test.
Interpretation of results
|
Fluid name |
Normal value of calcium (in adults) |
|
Cerebrospinal fluid |
5.0mg/100ml |
|
Pleural fluid |
5.6mg/100ml |
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If the levels of calcium in the above fluids is more than normal it may indicate bleeding in the brain or spinal cord (in case of cerebrospinal fluid) or tuberculosis and lung cancer (in case of pleural fluid). On the other hand, low levels of calcium in bodily fluids may be an indication of malnutrition or kidney disease.
FAQs
Are there any risks associated with calcium, fluid test?
Calcium testing on bodily fluids is typically considered to be a safe procedure. However, potential risks include experiencing discomfort during the collection of the sample, encountering minor bleeding, or the possibility of infection at the site of collection.
What factors can affect the results of calcium, fluid test?
Factors that can affect the result of this test include your diet, medications that you are on, and your overall health status.
What are some of the modifiable factors that can affect my calcium, fluid levels?
Some of the modifiable factors that can affect your calcium, fluid levels include diet, physical activity levels, medications, and lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption and smoking.
What are some of the non-modifiable factors that can affect my calcium, fluid levels?
Factors such as age, genetics, and certain chronic diseases are some of the non-modifiable factors that can affect your calcium, fluid levels.
How often should I get this test done?
The frequency of getting this test done depends upon your health status and your healthcare provider’s recommendation. If you are undergoing treatment for a condition that affects your calcium levels, then your healthcare provider may order this test on a regular basis to monitor your response to the treatment.
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