Calcium is the most abundant and one of the most important minerals in the
human body. Approximately 99% of body calcium is found in bones.
A decrease in albumin level causes a decrease in serum calcium. Low levels of
calcium are found in hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, vitamin D
deficiency, malnutrition and intestinal malabsortion.
Among causes of hypercalcemia are cancers, large intake of vitamin D, enhaced
renal retention, osteoporosis, sarcosidosis, thyrotoxicosis,
hyperparathyroidism1,6,7.
Clinical diagnosis should not be made on a single test result; it should integrate
clinical and other laboratory data.
REAGENTS
R 1
Buffer Ethanolamine 500 mmol/L
R 2
Chromogen
o-Cresolphtalein
8-Hidroxyquinolein
0,62 mmol/L
69 mmol/L
CALCIUM CAL Calcium aqueous primary standard 10 mg/dL
PRECAUTIONS
R1: H302.Harmful if swallowed. H315.Causes skin irritation. H319.Causes
serious eye irritation. H371. May cause damage to organs.
R2: H314-Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
CAL: EUH210-Safety data sheet available on request.
Follow the precautionary statements given in MSDS and label of the product.
PREPARATION
All the reagents are ready to use.
STORAGE AND STABILITY
All the components of the kit are stable until the expiration date on the label when
stored tightly closed at 2-8ºC, protected from light and contaminations are
prevented during their use.
Do not use reagents over the expiration date.
Signs of reagent deterioration:
- Presence of particles and turbidity.
- Blank absorbance (A) at 570 nm
0,2.
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
- Spectrophotometer or colorimeter measuring at 570 nm.
- Matched cuvettes 1,0 cm light path.
- General laboratory equipment (Note 2,3)
.
SAMPLES
- Serum or plasma1
: Separated from cells as rapidly as possible. Blood
anticoagulants with oxalate or EDTA are not acceptable since these chemicals
will strongly chelate calcium.
- Urine1
: Collect 24 hour urine specimen in calcium free containers. The collecting
bottles should contain 10 ml of diluted Nitric acid (50% v/v). Record the volume.
Dilute a sample 1/2 in distilled water. Mix. Multiply results by 2 (dilution factor).
Stability of the samples: Calcium is stable 10 days at 2-8ºC.
