NHS App test results explained
Bone profile blood test explained
A bone profile is a group of blood tests UK labs run together to look at calcium and the things that affect it. It can help with questions about the bones, kidneys and parathyroid glands, and with checking calcium during treatment.
Also printed as: Calcium profile.
What is on the report
Typical adult ranges. Each lab sets its own, so the range printed next to your result is the one that counts.
| Test | What it is | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | A mineral that builds bones and keeps nerves and muscles working. | 2.15–2.54 mmol/L |
| Phosphorus | A mineral that works with calcium to build bones and teeth. | 0.81–1.45 mmol/L |
| ALP | An enzyme from the liver and bile ducts, and from bone. | 35–104 U/L (women) 40–129 U/L (men) |
| Albumin | The main protein in blood, made by the liver. | 35–50 g/L |
Good to know in United Kingdom
- A typical NHS bone profile includes calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and albumin. The lab works out an adjusted (corrected) calcium automatically.
- Adjusted calcium takes your albumin level into account, because albumin carries much of the calcium in your blood. It is the calcium figure UK reports commonly use.
- Calcium results are read with other tests such as phosphate, ALP, kidney function, magnesium and parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Call 999 in an emergency. For urgent advice that is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111. For questions about your test results, contact your GP surgery.
Keep your reports in one place
Take a photo or screenshot of your results, or upload the PDF, and Vita explains each number in plain words, suggests what to ask your GP, and keeps it with your past results. Vita does not connect to the NHS App or to any UK health record system, and its hospital connections are for US hospitals, not UK ones.
Vita Health Coach on the App StoreAsk it in ChatGPT
Vita Health Coach also answers in ChatGPT. One tap opens ChatGPT with this question ready to send:
“What should I ask the doctor about my Bone profile result?”
Questions
Does a bone profile show if I have weak bones?
No. Blood calcium does not show how much calcium is in your bones. A bone density (DEXA) scan is used for that.
Do I need to fast for a bone profile?
Fasting is not usually needed. Clenching your fist or a tight strap kept on for a long time while blood is taken can affect the result.
Why is there a calcium and an adjusted calcium?
Total calcium can rise or fall with albumin. The adjusted figure corrects for this so the result better reflects the calcium your body can use.
More for United Kingdom
Sources
General information, not medical advice. VitaMedas is not connected with any government health service. Vita Health Coach explains; it never diagnoses. In an emergency, call 999. Read the medical disclaimer.