Total Calcium: Calcium is the most abundant and one of the most important minerals in the body. It is essential for cell signaling and proper functioning of muscles, nerves and the heart. Calcium is needed for blood clotting and is crucial for formation, density and maintenance of bones and teeth. This test measures the amount of calcium in blood or urine, which reflects the amount of total and ionized calcium in the body.
Total calcium test measures both the free and the bound forms of calcium.
Ionized Calcium: The ionized calcium test measures only free, metabolically active form.