What it measures
Phosphate is a mineral that works with calcium in bones and teeth and is also used in the body's energy processes. The test measures the amount in the liquid part of the blood.
Why people test it
- Part of a bone profile, read alongside calcium and alkaline phosphatase.
- Monitored in people with kidney disease, as the kidneys control phosphate levels.
- Measured when looking into the parathyroid glands or vitamin D levels.
Typical range
Ranges vary by lab, method, age and sex, and your report shows the lab's own range. One NHS trust gives 0.8 to 1.5 mmol/L for adults. Source: University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust: Phosphate.
Finger-prick or vein?
A vein draw is the usual route, though a few providers offer finger-prick kits. Phosphate leaks out of blood cells if a sample is haemolysed or left standing, which can push the result up.