Phosphorus

July 9, 2020
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Overview

Phosphorus is an important element that’s vital to several of the body’s physiological processes. It helps with bone growth, energy storage, and nerve and muscle production. Many foods - especially meat and dairy products - contain phosphorus, so it’s usually easy to get enough of this mineral in your diet.Phosphate is what you get when you combine the mineral phosphorus with oxygen. When you eat certain foods - such as beans, nuts, cereal, milk, eggs, beef, chicken, and fish - phosphorous enters your intestines. When it meets up with oxygen, it becomes phosphate.Most phosphates team up with calcium to build and repair your bones and teeth. Some support your muscles and nerves.Hyperphosphatemia is when you have too much phosphorus in your blood. Hypophosphatemia is the opposite having too little phosphorus. Various conditions, including chronic alcohol use disorder and vitamin D deficiency, can cause your blood phosphorus level to become too low.Bone contains about 85% of the body’s phosphate. The rest is located primarily inside cells, where it is involved in energy production.Phosphate is necessary for the formation of bone and teeth. Phosphate is also used as a building block for several important substances, including those used by the cell for energy, cell membranes, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).The body obtains phosphate from foods and excretes it in urine and sometimes stool. How much phosphate is in stool varies, depending on how much is not absorbed from food. Foods that are high in phosphate include milk, egg yolks, chocolate, and soft drinks.

What is a phosphate in blood test?

Your doctor may order a serum phosphorus test if they suspect that your phosphorus level is too low or too high. Either extreme can lead to health problems.This test measures the level of phosphorus in your blood. Phosphorus is a common mineral found in the food you eat. It's also found in teeth and bones.Having a high or low level of phosphorus in your bloodstream can signal a number of health conditions. Most commonly, a high level of phosphorus is related to a kidney disorder. It shows that your kidneys are having difficulty clearing phosphorus from your blood. A high level of phosphorus can also mean uncontrolled diabetes and other endocrine disorders.Phosphate (as Phosphorus) - Serum phosphorus (Phosphate) levels alone are of limited diagnostic value and should be correlated with serum calcium levels. An increased phosphorus with decreased calcium suggests either hypoparathyroidism or renal disease. A decreased phosphorus and an increased calcium suggests hyperparathyroidism or sarcoidosis. When both calcium and phosphorus are decreased diagnostic considerations include malabsorption, vitamin D deficiency and renal tubular acidosis. Increased phosphorus and normal or increased calcium suggests Milk-alkali syndrome or hypervitaminosis D.

Why do I need a phosphate in blood test?

You may need this test if your healthcare provider suspects that you have a kidney disorder. You may also need this test if you are having trouble controlling your diabetes. You may need this test if you have symptoms of kidney disease, including bone problems, fatigue, and weakness, but you may not have any symptoms at all.Phosphorus levels are closely related to calcium levels, so your healthcare provider will probably test your calcium level as well. Additional tests depend on which condition your healthcare provider suspects.Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. Results of this test are given in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A normal phosphorus reading is between 2.7 and 4.6 mg/dL, but normal ranges may vary. A number that is either higher or lower than that could mean a possible kidney problem.Looking for tb testing locations near me?.. Use Tuhealty App for finding sperm test near me