Corrected Calcium
Electrolytes marker
Corrected Calcium
Category: Electrolytes
Unit: mmol/L
Calcium level adjusted for albumin concentration. More accurate than total calcium when albumin is abnormal. Formula: Corrected Ca = Total Ca + 0.02 × (40 - Albumin).
PED Notes
More clinically meaningful than uncorrected calcium when albumin is low (e.g., during illness or liver stress from oral AAS). If total calcium appears normal but albumin is low, corrected calcium may reveal true hypercalcemia. Generally stable on AAS.
Same management as Calcium (see Calcium marker), with additional context:
- Corrected calcium adjusts for albumin level -- use this value when albumin is abnormal (low albumin from liver stress on oral AAS can make total calcium appear falsely normal)
- If corrected calcium is abnormal but total calcium is normal, the corrected value is more clinically accurate
- When low: Follow Calcium supplementation protocol (Calcium Citrate 500-1000mg/day, Vitamin D3 5000 IU/day, Vitamin K2 100-200mcg/day)
- When high: Investigate Vitamin D over-supplementation, parathyroid function, or reduce calcium supplement dose
References:
- Yao, P., Bennett, D., Mafham, M., et al. (2019). Vitamin D and calcium for the prevention of fracture. JAMA Network Open, 2(12), e1917789. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.17789
- Holick, M. F. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(3), 266-281. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra070553
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reference Ranges
Standard Range
2.15 - 2.65 mmol/L