Calcium (OCPC)

Intended use

Biostep Diagnostic’s calcium reagent is intended for the in-vitro quantitative, diagnostic determination of calcium in human serum on both automated and manual systems.

Background

Calcium is the fifth most common element in the body, most of which (98 %) is present in the skeleton. One half of the remaining calcium is found in extracellular fluid and the rest in tissues. Calcium has a crucial role in bone mineralization and is also vital for basic physiological processes such as blood coagulation, neuromuscular conduction, and normal muscle tone. Calcium is constantly lost from the body through excretion in faeces, urine and to a small extent in sweat. The determination of serum calcium is useful for monitoring myeloma, renal failure, acid base balance, and cirrhosis. Both serum and tissue calcium in the body are controlled by parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and vitamin D. Hypocalcaemia may be observed in hyperparathyroidism, steatorrhea, pancreatitis and nephritis. Increased levels may be associated with multiple myeloma and other neoplastic diseases.