Hypocalcaemia and Hypercalcaemia

Abstract

Q1 Where is calcium found in the body, what is the usual daily intake and normal serum level?

Ninety nine percent of the body’s calcium is stored in bones. Less than 1 % circulates in the bloodstream. Usual calcium intake is 25 mmol or 1,000 mg/day, mainly in dairy products. Normal corrected total serum calcium in adults is 2.12–2.62 mmol/l. A correction factor is applied because serum calcium is part protein bound and part ionised. In practice this means the laboratory will add 0.02 mmol/l to the measured calcium level for every 1 g/l serum albumin is below 40 g/l.