Phosphate (as Phosphorus)
Quest Diagnostics
Sample type: Serum
Requires fasting: No
Phlebotomy required
Details
Serum phosphorus (Phosphate) levels alone are of limited diagnostic value and should be correlated with serum calcium levels. An increased phosphorus with decreased calcium suggests either hypoparathyroidism or renal disease. A decreased phosphorus and an increased calcium suggests hyperparathyroidism or sarcoidosis. When both calcium and phosphorus are decreased diagnostic considerations include malabsorption, vitamin D deficiency and renal tubular acidosis. Increased phosphorus and normal or increased calcium suggests Milk-alkali syndrome or hypervitaminosis D.
- Phosphate (as phosphorus)
Estimated days for results: Results should be available in 2 - 5 business days after the sample is collected
This test measures the levels of phosphorus in your blood. Understanding your phosphorus levels is important, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. It's best to look at these levels alongside your calcium levels to get a clearer picture of what's going on in your body. For example, high phosphorus and low calcium could mean hypoparathyroidism or kidney issues. On the other hand, low phosphorus and high calcium might suggest hyperparathyroidism or sarcoidosis. If both phosphorus and calcium are low, it could be due to malabsorption, a lack of vitamin D, or renal tubular acidosis. High phosphorus with normal or high calcium levels could indicate Milk-alkali syndrome or too much vitamin D.
A simple blood draw is needed.
2–5 business days
<7 Days 4.0-9.0 mg/dL
7 Days-2 Years 4.0-8.0 mg/dL
3-12 Years 3.0-6.0 mg/dL
13-15 Years 3.2-6.0 mg/dL
16-18 Years 3.0-5.1 mg/dL
19-20 Years 2.7-5.0 mg/dL
21-64 Years 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
>64 Years 2.1-4.3 mg/dL
Blood Draw Options with Fullscript
Fullscript offers several convenient phlebotomy options to complete your lab testing:
Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers (PSC)
- Location: Visit a nearby Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center.
- Cost: $10 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here. Appointments are recommended to reduce wait times. Walk-ins are accepted, but may experience delays. Aim to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment.
- Collection Instructions:
- Bring a valid ID.
- Bring your digital or printed requisition form, available in the Labs tab of your Fullscript account.
- Check-in: Scan the QR code from your confirmation email or follow kiosk instructions.
- More Info: Quest Diagnostics blood draw guide
Getlabs Mobile Phlebotomy
- Location: Sample collection at your home or office.
- Cost: $85 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Availability: Available in most locations – enter your ZIP code during checkout to confirm.
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here through your Fullscript account.
- Collection Instructions:
- Have your digital or printed requisition form and valid ID ready.
- Your phlebotomist will contact you by phone to coordinate arrival.
- More Info: Getlabs blood draw guide
- Preferred Specimen(s): 1 mL serum
- Alternative: NA
- Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
- Collection Instructions: NA
- Transport Container: Serum separator tube (SST)
- Transport Temperature: Room Temperature
- Specimen Stability:
- Room temperature: 72 hours
- Refrigerated: 7 days
- Frozen: 28 days
- Reject Criteria:
- Gross hemolysis • Plasma
State restrictions:
Patient can't order this test if they are located in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, New York, or Rhode Island
