This test is ideal if you're experiencing unexplained muscle cramps, weakness, or tingling sensations that might be related to calcium imbalances at the cellular level. It measures calcium inside your red blood cells rather than just in your blood serum, which can provide insights into how your body is actually using and storing calcium. Many people use this test when they have symptoms that suggest mineral imbalances but standard calcium tests don't explain what's happening.
What's included in this test?
This test measures the total calcium content specifically within your red blood cells, which reflects your intracellular calcium status. Unlike standard serum calcium tests that measure calcium floating in your blood plasma, this test shows how much calcium is actually inside your cells where it performs critical metabolic functions. This can help identify cellular mineral imbalances that may not show up on routine calcium tests and provides insights into how effectively your body is utilizing calcium at the cellular level.
What happens after I get my results?
You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your red blood cell calcium levels mean for your cellular health and mineral balance. These notes include personalized recommendations like dietary adjustments, supplement suggestions, or whether you should investigate other mineral deficiencies. You'll also get the standard lab report and can track your calcium levels over time using our trends feature to see how your nutritional interventions are working.
Who should consider this test?
This test is useful for people experiencing muscle cramps, spasms, or weakness that don't improve with standard calcium supplementation. It's also helpful for those with chronic fatigue, cardiovascular concerns, or neurological symptoms like tingling or numbness. Anyone interested in understanding their cellular mineral balance beyond standard serum tests should consider this specialized measurement.
What symptoms indicate I may need this test?
Common symptoms include frequent muscle cramps or spasms, unexplained muscle weakness, tingling or numbness in extremities, and persistent fatigue. You might also experience heart palpitations, difficulty with muscle coordination, or symptoms that suggest mineral imbalance but haven't been explained by standard blood work. If you've been taking calcium supplements without improvement in symptoms, this test can reveal if the issue is with cellular calcium utilization.
How can I naturally support healthy calcium levels?
Supporting cellular calcium balance starts with ensuring adequate dietary calcium from dairy products, leafy greens, almonds, and fortified foods. Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption, so get regular sunlight exposure or consider supplementation. Magnesium helps regulate calcium movement in and out of cells, so include magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, and whole grains. Regular weight-bearing exercise also helps your body use calcium more effectively.
What is intracellular calcium and why does it matter?
Intracellular calcium is the calcium stored and used inside your cells, particularly in red blood cells, where it plays critical roles in cellular metabolism, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling. Unlike calcium in your blood plasma, intracellular calcium directly reflects how your cells are functioning and using this essential mineral. Imbalances in intracellular calcium can affect muscle function, energy production, and cellular communication throughout your body.
What does high red blood cell calcium mean?
Elevated calcium in red blood cells may indicate that calcium is accumulating inside cells rather than being properly regulated, which can affect cellular metabolism and function. This can sometimes be associated with certain metabolic conditions, excessive calcium supplementation, or issues with how your body regulates mineral balance. High intracellular calcium may contribute to cellular stress, fatigue, or muscle dysfunction.
What does low red blood cell calcium mean?
Low calcium in red blood cells may suggest inadequate cellular calcium storage or utilization, even if your serum calcium levels appear normal. This can contribute to muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, and impaired cellular energy production. It might indicate that your body isn't absorbing calcium well, that you're deficient in cofactors like vitamin D or magnesium, or that cellular mechanisms for storing calcium aren't working optimally.
How often should I retest my red blood cell calcium?
If you're addressing a suspected calcium imbalance through diet or supplementation, retesting every 3-6 months can help track whether your interventions are working. For those monitoring a known condition affecting mineral balance, your healthcare provider may recommend testing every 6-12 months. If your initial results are normal but symptoms persist, consider retesting in 6 months or exploring other mineral markers that might explain your symptoms.
How’s this work?
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Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
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Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
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Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
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Demo results
Red Blood Cell Calcium3.2 mg/dL
Demo results
LowOptimal 3.5 - 5.5High
3.2 mg/dL
What this means
Your red blood cell calcium is slightly below the optimal range, which may indicate that your cells aren't storing or utilizing calcium as effectively as they could. This can contribute to muscle cramps, weakness, or fatigue even if your regular serum calcium tests appear normal.
Recommended actions
Increase calcium-rich foods like dairy, leafy greens, and fortified plant milks
Ensure adequate vitamin D intake through sunlight or supplements to improve calcium absorption
Add magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate to support calcium regulation
Consider retesting in 3-6 months after making dietary changes
* Regular blood test results (e.g., CBC) typically start arriving the next business day after sample collection. More complex tests, such as hormone panels, may take up to 10–15 business days due to their complexity.
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