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BONE

Here are some common blood tests related to bone health, with their purpose and testing parameters:

1. Calcium Test

  • Purpose: Measures the level of calcium in the blood, which is essential for bone strength and health.
  • Perimeter: Normal blood calcium levels range between 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL. Abnormal levels could indicate bone disorders like osteoporosis or issues with parathyroid function.

2. Phosphorus Test

  • Purpose: Evaluates the amount of phosphorus in the blood, as phosphorus works with calcium to build bones.
  • Perimeter: Normal range is 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL. Elevated or reduced levels can point to bone or kidney disorders.

3. Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

  • Purpose: Helps detect bone diseases such as Paget’s disease or osteomalacia. ALP is an enzyme found in bones and liver.
  • Perimeter: Normal range is 44 to 147 IU/L. Elevated levels suggest bone growth or bone breakdown issues.

4. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

  • Purpose: Measures the level of PTH, which regulates calcium levels in the blood and bones.
  • Perimeter: Normal range is 10 to 65 pg/mL. Abnormal levels indicate parathyroid gland disorders or bone metabolism issues.

5. Vitamin D Test (25-hydroxy Vitamin D)

  • Purpose: Determines if there is enough vitamin D in the body to support calcium absorption and bone health.
  • Perimeter: Normal range is 20 to 50 ng/mL. Low levels suggest vitamin D deficiency, leading to weak bones or rickets.

6. Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase (BSAP)

  • Purpose: Measures a form of ALP specific to bone cells, used to monitor bone formation and turnover, especially in conditions like osteoporosis.
  • Perimeter: Normal range is 14.2 to 42.7 IU/L for men and 11.6 to 29.6 IU/L for women.

7. C-Telopeptide (CTX)

  • Purpose: A marker of bone resorption, this test helps monitor how quickly bone is being broken down.
  • Perimeter: For premenopausal women: 50–450 pg/mL, for postmenopausal women: 150–850 pg/mL.

8. Osteocalcin

  • Purpose: Measures bone formation and is used as a marker for bone turnover in diseases like osteoporosis.
  • Perimeter: Normal range is 11 to 43 ng/mL. Elevated levels indicate high bone turnover.

9. Magnesium Test

  • Purpose: Magnesium is crucial for bone formation, and this test checks for deficiencies that could affect bone health.
  • Perimeter: Normal range is 1.7 to 2.2 mg/dL. Low magnesium can lead to weak bones or muscle cramps.

10. C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

  • Purpose: While not specific to bones, CRP measures inflammation in the body, which can affect bone health and healing, especially in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Perimeter: Normal range is <1.0 mg/L. High levels suggest inflammation or infection that may affect bone health.

These tests are commonly recommended when assessing bone health, bone-related diseases, or conditions like osteoporosis and osteomalacia.