Phosphorus vs Phosphate

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2008

Phosphorus is distributed throughout the body in the form of phosphate - 85% of the body's phosphorus is stored in the bones and the rest in other cells of the body - it's major roles are:

cellular metabolism, particularly in the ATP processes involved in supplying the body with energy
maintenance of cell membranes
formation of bones and teeth
release of oxygen from hemoglobin

It is absorbed by the intestines from dietary sources and excreted through the kidneys - must be replaced through dietary consumption - Phosphorus is regulated by parathormone (PTH)

NOTE: an inverse relationship exists between phosphorus and calcium, so high phosphate levels will lower calcium levels in the body and vice versa - a test for serum phosphate measures inorganic phosphate in the blood - most phosphorus in the body is bound in organic phosphate compounds

Kitty Hawk, ADN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

Phosphorus is distributed throughout the body in the form of phosphate - 85% of the body's phosphorus is stored in the bones and the rest in other cells of the body - it's major roles are:
cellular metabolism, particularly in the ATP processes involved in supplying the body with energy
maintenance of cell membranes
formation of bones and teeth
release of oxygen from hemoglobin
It is absorbed by the intestines from dietary sources and excreted through the kidneys - must be replaced through dietary consumption - Phosphorus is regulated by parathormone (PTH)
NOTE: an inverse relationship exists between phosphorus and calcium, so high phosphate levels will lower calcium levels in the body and vice versa - a test for serum phosphate measures inorganic phosphate in the blood - most phosphorus in the body is bound in organic phosphate compounds

Ah, I see...so you're saying that they are "buddies/enemies" b/c they work together but it's always an inverse r'ship...sort of like they follow each other around but at a distance? I'm just confused why she said it like that...it'd be easier to veiw them like enemies!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

i can only suggest that this stuff is immensely confusing to many of us. we all seek a way to clarify and simplify it. this "buddies/enemies" analogy is probably the way your instructor remembers it for herself. she probably sincerely believes she is helping you by passing this analogy on to you. i wouldn't fault her on it. but, if you can think of a different way that works for you, go with it.

fluid and electrolytes was a huge portion of my national certification exam in iv therapy. i failed the exam the first time i took it and it was by two questions. the biggest portion of questions i missed was in the fluid and electrolyte section. believed me, i studied up on this subject when i took the test the next year and passed it. part of my life journey of learning to study effectively.

in doing these charts that i'm working on, i've got 8 books that i'm using as references. for me, i have to read the information about 10 times before it sinks in. i try to find an analogy sometimes, but there are times when nothing comes to me. have you read my post on the inflammation response? when i originally was reviewing the material the one thing that came to mind was war and comparing the mast cells to hand grenades and so that is how i described it. water balloons could have also worked. others might not agree with it.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/histamine-effect-244836.html

tnb7557 · Aug 15, 2011

I realize this is a very old post, but I liked the explanation. Rather than "friends and enemies", just think of Calcium and Phosphorus as partners that are trying to regulate a system. The system wants to be balanced, so if one goes up, the other goes down and vice versa. Like a teeter-totter or see-saw. :up: