total calcium , serum calcium and corrected calcium

[uae808]

Can anyone tell me what the difference about total calcium , serum calcium ,and corrected calcium ?

Thanks

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Calcium in serum exists in two basic forms: protein-bound and free ionized. Only free (ionized) one is physiologically active.

Total calcium= free (active) and protein-bound (inactive) Number is not that important.

Serum calcium - unclear about which one we are speaking. If it is ionized, then it is the free, active and most important form

Corrected calcium: correction factor for severe hypoalbuminemia, as this condition leads to underestimate of TOTAL calcium.

[AcuteHD]

Calcium in serum exists in two basic forms: protein-bound and free ionized. Only free (ionized) one is physiologically active.

Total calcium= free (active) and protein-bound (inactive) Number is not that important.

Serum calcium - unclear about which one we are speaking. If it is ionized, then it is the free, active and most important form

Corrected calcium: correction factor for severe hypoalbuminemia, as this condition leads to underestimate of TOTAL calcium.

Corrected Ca = ((4 - Albumin) * 0.8) + Ca

When I asked one of the nephrologist I work with which value we should use he said, 'dietitians say the CorCa' but he was pretty much meh about it himself. Do we not correct the Ca for hyperalbuminemia also? I have been

A quick online search didn't provide an answer except that the calculators will accept an Albumin level > 4

[uae808]

Thank you!!! KatieMI

[Chimera123, BSN]

Just to add (because I have been recently sending a lot of STAT Ca+'s the past week), if your NP/MD requested a Stat for Corrected Ca, make sure you include Albumin. Sometimes during hectic times, they forget to include Albumin in the orders so I do it myself. For ionzed Ca, do not spin the heparinized tube. My MD always go for the ionized Ca.