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Calcium

Necessary for muscle contraction, blood clotting, cardiac function, vascular integrity, cell membrane stability, transmission of nerve impulses as well as bone health. Calcium needs to be in balance with the correct ratios of phosphorus and magnesium and also needs the following co-factors to be utilised properly, manganese, boron, copper, zinc, potassium and vitamin D, A, B, C and unsaturated fatty acids.

 

Calcium corrected

This provides further information if calcium level is abnormal. Calcium is regulated by the parathyroid hormone.

 

Magnesium

Magnesium and calcium work closely together to maintain strong bones. Magnesium is also important for carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, energy production and blood clotting. RBC magnesium is the more accurate assessment of magnesium.

 

Phosphate

Phosphate is important for energy production, muscle and nerve function and bone growth. Phosphorous has an inverse relationship with calcium and is also regulated by the parathyroid hormone. Decreased phosphorous is associated with hypochlorhydria.

 

 

Anion gap

Measures the difference between the total of cations (sodium and potassium) and the total of anions (CO2/bicarbonate and chloride). The difference reflects concentrations of other extracellular anions (phosphates, sulphates, ketones, proteins and lactic acid). An increase in these unmeasured anions is associated with acidosis.