Serum Phosphorus (Ph) Test
Booked 2012 timesAlso known as:
Phosphorus Test, P, PO4, Phosphorus-Serum
Blood
No
Serum
Description
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Overview
Phosphorus is a mineral required in your body for healthy bones, teeth, as well as nerve and muscle function. However, some amount of it is also present in your blood. Abnormally high or low levels of phosphorus in the blood can lead to various health complications. It may also hint towards an underlying health condition such as renal disease.
A serum phosphorus test measures the amount of phosphate in a blood sample. Phosphorus imbalance in blood could be caused by poor nutrition, alcoholism, excess phosphate in your diet, or kidney and liver diseases. The phosphorus test helps you identify conditions that might cause phosphorus imbalances in the blood.
Phosphorus combines with other substances to form phosphate compounds. The serum phosphorus test detects the amount of inorganic phosphate in your blood. The deficiency of this mineral can cause hypophosphatemia. This is typically caused by acid-base imbalances, malnutrition, malabsorption, kidney disorders, etc.
Excess intake of this mineral is called hyperphosphatemia, and it can also be caused by a diet rich in phosphorus, low blood calcium, etc. A common cause of hyperphosphatemia in Indians is chronic kidney disease.
Foods like chicken, dairy, nuts, and soya are particularly high in phosphorus and should best be avoided if you have hyperphosphatemia. The serum phosphorus test result doesn’t reveal the exact underlying condition but helps with the overall diagnosis. Other tests may also be needed to find the root cause of the symptoms.
The test is also quite inexpensive.
Other names of Serum Phosphorus Test
- Phosphorus test
- P
- PO
- phosphorus-serum test
Who is this test prescribed for?
A doctor usually prescribes this test when symptoms related to kidney failure or liver disease are detected. Bone fragility or muscle weakness in this case the doctor can request a phosphorus test.
This test is also prescribed if you have a kidney disorder or diabetes and you are taking calcium or phosphate supplements.
The serum phosphorus test is applicable for adults and children, males and females. Before taking this test, you must inform your doctor, if you are on any kind of medication. Certain medications can affect the result of this test and can lead to a false phosphorus test result.
How often should you take this test?
The serum phosphorus test report is typically needed when either the symptoms or another test suggests kidney or digestive system disorders or musculoskeletal system. Some of the common symptoms that may require this test are:
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Bone fragility or pain
- Fatigue
- Anxiety and irritability
- Weight gain or loss
- Irregular breathing
A phosphorus test can also be requested in people who are being treated for malnourishment. A poor diet can cause phosphorus levels in the blood to drop significantly.
Test Result Interpretation
The phosphorus test normal range differs for adults and children. You will also find slight variations among different laboratories. If the value is significantly higher than the normal range, it can be due to a variety of health conditions. Excessive consumption of food rich in phosphorus is also one reason for the high value of phosphorus.
A doctor can diagnose different ailments based on the phosphorus test result and other test reports. Common health conditions associated with values above the normal range are:
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Kidney failure
- Liver disease
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Excess vitamin D in the diet
- Use of laxatives
Sample Type
The test requires a blood sample collected from a vein in your hand or arm.
How to prepare for this test?
This test doesn’t require any prior preparations. Typically, no fasting is required for this test. But in case the doctor needs you to fast for a specific reason, you will be informed in advance.
Some medications can influence the result of this test. If you are on any such medication, you need to inform your doctor before taking the test. Here are some medications that can affect phosphorus levels:
- Vitamin D supplements
- Antacids
- Medicines that contain sodium phosphate
- Intravenous glucose
Test inclusions: What parameters are included?
The test report will mention the amount of phosphorus found in your blood. The unit used is milligrams of phosphorus per deciliter of blood (mg/dL).
The phosphorus test involves analysis of your blood sample to measure the amount of inorganic phosphate present in it. The phosphorus test report will include data to tell you if you have abnormal levels of phosphorus in the blood. This single parameter can help diagnose a range of different ailments.
Risk Assessment
Hyperphosphatemia, Hypophosphatemia, Renal disease, Diabetic ketoacidosis, Liver disease
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when phosphorus is too high?
If the results of the phosphorus test show a high value, there could be a variety of reasons for it. Organ dysfunction, malnutrition, overuse of diuretics, alcoholism, and chronic antacid use are some causes behind increased levels of phosphorus in the blood. Excess phosphorus can also lead to osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease. High phosphorus content in your blood can cause health issues like diarrhoea or hardening of organs and soft tissues. This can also negatively affect the body’s ability to use other important minerals like magnesium, zinc, iron etc.
How does vitamin D affect phosphorus levels in the blood?
Vitamin D stimulates phosphorus absorption. It helps the kidney and the small intestine to reabsorb phosphate into the blood. So, vitamin D deficiency causes low levels of phosphorus in your blood, while an excess of it can lead to too much phosphorus present in the bloodstream.
What happens when phosphorus is too low?
On one hand, low phosphorus can reflect a poor diet or lifestyle; however, on the other hand, it may be due to serious health conditions that need to be diagnosed and treated. Low levels of phosphorus can give rise to symptoms like fatigue, and joint pain, or even result in heart disease. Your body needs phosphorus for repairing tissue and cells and filtering waste.
Are there risks associated with a serum phosphorus test?
There are no major risks associated with this test. However, like with any blood test, there is a slight risk of infection, bruising, or bleeding. You can expect to feel lightheaded after the blood is drawn. Most individuals feel nothing. Some may experience swelling after the blood is drawn. This is rare and can be treated by applying a warm compress a few times throughout the day.
Should I be worried if I have high phosphorus levels?
It is not unusual for people to find higher than the normal ranges for phosphorus in their phosphorus test report. This doesn’t necessarily imply that you have a disease. Your diet or alcoholism could also be responsible for a higher value in your report. A doctor may require you to take other tests to confirm his suspicion about a disease, or he can diagnose based on your symptoms. While an abnormal presence of phosphorus in your blood could be a sign of an abnormal health condition, you must consult with a doctor before coming to any conclusions.
