What percentage of serum calcium is protein-bound?

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Multiple Choice

What percentage of serum calcium is protein-bound?

Explanation:
In serum calcium, the total amount is divided among three forms: protein-bound, ionized (free), and complexed with anions. The protein-bound portion makes up about 40% of the total calcium, primarily binding to albumin. The physiologically active form is the ionized calcium, which is roughly 50%, while about 10% is bound to anions like phosphate or citrate. This distribution explains why changes in albumin can alter total calcium without necessarily changing the active ionized calcium level.

In serum calcium, the total amount is divided among three forms: protein-bound, ionized (free), and complexed with anions. The protein-bound portion makes up about 40% of the total calcium, primarily binding to albumin. The physiologically active form is the ionized calcium, which is roughly 50%, while about 10% is bound to anions like phosphate or citrate. This distribution explains why changes in albumin can alter total calcium without necessarily changing the active ionized calcium level.

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