To screen for diagnose and monitor a range of conditions Specimen:A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm sometimes a random or a timed urine collection such as a 24-hour urine sample When To Get Tested: As part of a routine metabolic panel when you have symptoms of a disorder or known presence of one affecting your kidneys bones thyroid parathyroid or nerves or when symptoms of significantly increased or decreased calcium concentrations are present when someone is critically ill to monitor ionized calcium levels when someone has certain types cancer when someone is being treated for abnormal calcium levels to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment Test Preparation:Current practices do not require fasting You may be instructed to stop taking certain medications that can affect the test results such as lithium antacids diuretics and vitamin D supplements among others Normal Test Result: normal amount of calcium (somewhere between 8.6 mg/dL to 10.3 mg/dL)

To help diagnose one cause of anemia or neuropathy to evaluate nutritional status in some people to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency Specimen:A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm When To Get Tested: When you have an abnormal complete blood count CBC with a blood smear showing large red blood cells macrocytosis or abnormal hypersegmented neutrophils when you have symptoms of anemia weakness tiredness pale skin and or of neuropathy tingling or itching sensations eye twitching memory loss altered mental status when you are being treated for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency Test Preparation:Fasting for 6-8 hours before sample collection may be required Certain medicines may affect the test results your healthcare provider will advise you on which ones to stop taking Normal Test Result: 140 ng/mL to 960 ng/mL.