Abstract
The serum calcium levels of patients were assessed as they attended a district hospital in a rural population for a period of one month. A majority of the patients were between the age group of 38-77 years. 55 cases were studied. The ratio of males to females was 3:8. The results show an increase in abnormal serum calcium level with age. The abnormality in serum calcium was higher in females than in males. The demonstration of poor nutritional intake and lack of other calcium supplements was a predisposing factor to the abnormal calcium levels. It was concluded that the abnormal levels of calcium were as a result of lack of calcium diet.
Highlights
Calcium is one of the main electrolytes in body fluids
The results show an increase in abnormal serum calcium level with age
Calcium absorption is a function of active transport that is controlled by 1,25 (OH)2D, which is important at low calcium intakes, and passive diffusion, which dominates at high calcium intakes
Summary
Calcium is one of the main electrolytes in body fluids. In the body, 99% of calcium is found in bones for the mineralization of bones [1]. Serum calcium ranges from 8.8 to 10.4 mg/dl (2.2 to 2.6 mM) in healthy subjects. It comprises free ions (51%), protein-bound complexes (40%), and ionic complexes (9%) [4]. Ionized calcium has a normal value of 4.5 - 5.5 mg/dl (1.1 - 1.4 mmol/L). This value is usually affected by a number of factors including parathyroid hormone and calcitonin secretion, dietary intake and conditions like osteoporosis. Dietary intake and absorption are essential to provide sufficient calcium to maintain healthy body stores. 30% of dietary calcium ingested in a healthy adult is absorbed by the small intestine. Aluminum hydroxide, which binds dietary phosphate [9], when taken in excess leads to hypercalciuria from increased calcium absorption [10]
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