← Blood tests
Ionized Calcium
Advanced wellnessalso —
What it isThe free, unbound fraction of blood calcium that is biologically active at receptors.
DoesDrives all physiological calcium effects — nerve, muscle, clotting, signaling.
GoodMid-range ionized calcium signals true calcium adequacy regardless of albumin status.
BadProvides the most accurate calcium status, particularly when parathyroid disease is suspected or in critically ill patients with abnormal albumin.
- Standard
- 4.5–5.6 mg/dL.
- Optimal
- 4.8–5.3 mg/dL (narrow target)
- Modifiers
- Affected by blood pH (acidosis raises ionized fraction).
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- Same as total calcium.
- Diet
- Same as total calcium.
- Supplements
- Same as total calcium.
- Peptides
- —
- Drugs
- Treat underlying cause.
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
within Minerals