They’ll place a bandage over the site, and you’ll be finished.Once they have enough blood to test, they’ll remove the needle and hold a cotton ball or gauze on the site to stop the bleeding.After they insert the needle, a small amount of blood will collect in a test tube.They’ll then insert a small needle into your vein to take a blood sample.Once they’ve located a vein, they’ll clean and disinfect the area.This is usually in the inner part of your arm on the other side of your elbow. You’ll sit in a chair, and a healthcare provider will check your arms for an easily accessible vein.You can expect to experience the following during a blood test, or blood draw: What should I expect during my calcium blood test? In any case, your healthcare provider will let you know if you need to follow any special instructions. In this case, you may need to not eat or drink (fast) for several hours before your blood draw. Your calcium blood test may be part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel, which measures multiple things in your blood. You don’t need to follow any special instructions before a calcium blood test if it’s your only test. How do I prepare for a calcium blood test? The samples are sent to a lab where a medical laboratory scientist prepares the samples and performs the test on machines known as analyzers. Excess intake of calcium carbonate in the form of Tums® or Rolaids®.Ī healthcare provider known as a phlebotomist usually performs blood draws, but any healthcare provider who is trained in drawing blood can perform this task.Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and other thiazide diuretics.Malnutrition, especially too little or too much calcium and/or vitamin D in your diet.Ĭertain medications can also affect your blood calcium levels, including:.Many medical conditions affect your blood calcium levels, including: Your healthcare provider may order a calcium test if you have a medical condition that may affect your calcium levels. Stiffening and spasms of your muscles (tetany).Muscle spasms in your throat that make it difficult to breathe.Tingling in your lips, tongue, fingers and/or feet.Severe hypocalcemia (very low levels of calcium in your blood) can cause the following symptoms: Muscle cramps, especially in your back and legs.Signs and symptoms of having too little calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia) include: More frequent urination and increased thirst.
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Signs and symptoms of having too much calcium in your blood ( hypercalcemia) include:
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Total calcium is often included in a routine blood screening test called a basic metabolic panel (BMP). Total calcium: This test measures the calcium attached to certain proteins in your blood and “free” or unattached calcium.There are two types of calcium blood tests: What is a calcium blood test?Ī calcium blood test measures the level of calcium in your blood. A calcium blood test requires a blood sample, usually taken from a vein in your arm.