What it means
Most of the body's phosphorus is in the bones and teeth with calciumKAL-see-umA mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.Full entry . The rest is in cells, where it is part of the energy molecule ATP and DNA. The blood level tends to move opposite to calcium: when phosphorus goes up, calcium goes down. The kidneys remove extra, so a high level is common in kidney failure; a low level can follow refeeding after starvation, alcohol use disorder or treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.
For the nurse
Clients with chronic kidney disease often take phosphate binders with meals and limit foods high in phosphorus, such as dairy, colas and processed foods. Watch for low calcium signs when phosphorus is high.
At a glance
| Normal range | 2.5–4.5 mg/dL [0.81–1.45 mmol/L] in adults; children run higher, and each lab sets its own range. |
|---|---|
| Abbreviations | P; PO4 (phosphate) |
| Spanish | fósforo |
| Also written | phosphate level, phosphorus level, serum phosphate, serum phosphorus, PO4, PO₄, phosphate levels |
Related terms
chronic kidney disease
Kidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.
electrolyte
A mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride.
calcium
A mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.
parathyroid gland
One of four small glands behind the thyroid that control the amount of calcium in the blood.