Type of test Blood

Normal findings

 Adult: 3-4.5 mg/dL or 0.97-1.45 mmol/L (SI units)

Elderly: values slightly lower than adult

Child: 4.5-6.5 mg/dL or 1.45-2.1 mmol/L (SI units)

Newborn: 4.3-9.3 mg/dL or 1.4-3 mmol/L (SI units)

Possible critical values

 < 1 mg/dL

Test explanation and related physiology

Phosphorus in the body exists in the form of a phosphate. The terms phosphorus and phosphate are used interchangeably throughout this and other discussions. Most of the phosphate in the body is a part of organic compounds. Only a small part of total body phosphate is inorganic phosphate (i.e., not part of another organic compound). It is the inorganic phosphate that is measured when one requests a phosphate, phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus, or inorganic phosphate. Most of the body’s inorganic phosphorus is intracellular and combined with calcium within the skeleton; however, approximately 15% of the phosphorus exists in the blood as a phosphate salt.

Dietary phosphorus is absorbed in the small bowel. The absorption is very efficient, and only rarely is hypophosphatemia caused by GI malabsorption. Phosphorus levels are determined by calcium metabolism, parathormone (PTH), renal excretion, and, to a lesser degree, intestinal absorption. Because an inverse relationship exists between calcium and phosphorus, a decrease of one mineral results in an increase in the other. The regulation of phosphate by PTH is such that PTH tends to decrease phosphate resorption in the kidney. PTH and vitamin D, however, tend to stimulate phosphate absorption weakly within the gut. Hypophosphatemia may have four general causes: shift of phosphate from extracellular to intracellular, renal phosphate wasting, loss from the GI tract, and loss from intracellular stores. Hyperphosphatemia is usually secondary to increased intake or an inability of the kidneys to excrete phosphate.

Interfering factors

• Laxatives or enemas containing sodium phosphate can increase phosphorus levels.

• Recent carbohydrate ingestion, including IV glucose administration, causes decreased phosphorus levels because phosphorus enters the cell with glucose.

* Drugs that may cause increased levels include methicillin and vitamin D (excessive).

* Drugs that may cause decreased levels include albuterol, anesthesia agents, antacids, estrogens, insulin, mannitol, and oral contraceptives.

Procedure and patient care

 • See inside front cover for Routine Blood Testing.

 • Fasting: yes •

Blood tube commonly used: red

• If indicated, discontinue IV fluids with glucose for several hours before the test.

• Avoid hemolysis. Handle the tube carefully.

 • Use a heel stick to draw blood from infants.

 Abnormal findings

Increased levels (hyperphosphatemia)

- Renal failure

- Increased dietary or IV intake of phosphorus

- Acromegaly

- Hypoparathyroidism

- Bone metastasis

- Sarcoidosis

- Hypocalcemia

- Liver disease

- Acidosis

-Rhabdomyolysis

- Advanced lymphoma or myeloma

- Hemolytic anemia

Decreased levels (hypophosphatemia)

- Inadequate dietary ingestion of phosphorus

- Chronic antacid ingestion

- Hyperparathyroidism

- Hypercalcemia

- Chronic alcoholism

- Vitamin D deficiency

- Diabetic acidosis

- Hyperinsulinism

-Rickets (childhood)

- Osteomalacia (adult)

-Malnutrition

-Alkalosis

- Sepsis (gram negative)

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

استعدادًا لزيارة الأربعين العتبة العباسية المقدسة تعقد اجتماعًا لتنظيم عمل الهيئات التطوّعية في الصحن الشريف

قسم الشؤون الخدمية يواصل تنفيذ أعمال الوقاية ومكافحة الحشرات في مواقع العتبة العباسية المقدسة

المجمَع العلمي للقرآن الكريم يواصل تنفيذ مشروع بيوت النور القرآني

قسم الشؤون الفكرية يبحث التعاون في مجال البحث مع كلية التقنيات المتعددة في نيجيريا

المزيد

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تسارع الشيخوخة.. متى يبدأ وأي الأعضاء أكثر تأثرا؟

9 مسببات شائعة للالتهاب المزمن قد تهدد صحتك

باحثون يطورون علاجا لهشاشة العظام.. النتائج مذهلة

تحمي من أمراض عديدة.. 6 فوائد لتناول البطاطا الحلوة

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

عودة التعاون الفضائي بين روسيا وأميركا.. وبحث ملفات "هامة"

المعلمون في خطر.. خاصية جديدة في "تشات جي بي تي" تشرح الدروس

بشرى لمرضى الشلل.. شريحة في الدماغ قد تتيح التحكم بالأدوات

مدينة غارقة.. هل يخفي قاع البحر الكاريبي سرّ حضارة مفقودة؟

المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

pheochromocytoma suppression and provocative testing (Clonidine suppression test [CST], Glucagon stimulation test)

parvovirus B19 antibody

Applications of Molecular Biology to Erythrocyte Immunohematology

Direct Antiglobulin Test (Direct Coombs Test)

Indirect Antiglobulin Test (Indirect Coombs Test)

Partial thromboplastin time, activated (APTT, Partial thromboplastin time [PTT])

parathyroid scan (Parathyroid scintigraphy)

parathyroid hormone (PTH, Parathormone)

Paracentesis (Peritoneal fluid analysis, Ascitic fluid cytology, Peritoneal tap)

Clinical Immunology Laboratory (Diagnostic Testing)

Determination of Type D and Rh Phenotype

Determination of the ABO Group