Calcium and Phosphate

Question 1

Name some food sources of Calcium

Answer 1

Dairy products
Green leafy vegetables
Salmon
Almonds

Question 2

What are the functions of Calcium?

Answer 2

Building strong bones
Blood clotting
Nerve signal transmittance
Contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles
Releasing hormones
Keeping the heartbeat normal

Question 3

What things regulate calcium levels?

Answer 3

Parathyroid hormone
Vitamin D
Calcitonin
They act on bones, kidneys, and GI tract to regulate Ca levels

Question 4

What are the normal levels of calcium in the blood?

Answer 4

Total plasma calcium = 8.5 - 10.2 mg/dl
Diffusable = 4-5 mg/dl
Nondiffusable = 3-4 mg/dl

Question 5

When is calcium increased?

Answer 5

Lung cancer
Breast cancer
Hyperparathyroidism
Some medicines like thiazide diuretics
Vitamin D intoxication, excessive dietary calcium

Question 6

When is calcium decreased?

Answer 6

Hypoparathyroidism
Vitamin D deficiency
Malnutrition
Malabsorption
Decreased renal function

Question 7

What are the sources of phosphate?

Answer 7

Meat and milk

Question 8

What are the functions of phosphate?

Answer 8

Makes hydroxyapatite (Ca+2/PO4-3 salts)
Component of phospholipids, nucleotides, ATP, NADPH, etc.
As a buffer
Nerve signaling

Question 9

What happens in hyperphosphatemia?

Answer 9

Phosphate combine with calcium and deposits in soft tissues like muscles

Question 10

What are the causes of hyperphosphatemia?

Answer 10

Kidney problems

Dysfunction of their calcium regulation