International experts urge labs to abandon routine reporting of albumin-adjusted "corrected" calcium due to its outdated status, unreliability, and potential harm.
An international coalition of experts in laboratory medicine, osteoporosis, and chronic kidney disease is calling for laboratories to stop routinely reporting albumin-adjusted ("corrected") calcium. The group argues that this longstanding practice is no longer valid, unreliable in many clinical settings, and may contribute to patient harm. The experts point out that the "corrected" calcium measurement was developed as a way to adjust for variations in serum albumin levels, which can affect calcium test results. However, they contend that the method has become outdated and lacks widespread scientific support. According to the coalition's statement, laboratory practices vary widely across different regions and institutions, leading to inconsistent reporting of corrected calcium values. This variability makes it difficult to compare patient data and can lead to misinterpretation of clinical findings. Furthermore, the experts highlight concerns about the potential for harm when relying on "corrected" calcium measurements. They argue that these tests may not accurately reflect true serum calcium levels in all patients, potentially leading to inappropriate treatment decisions or missed diagnoses. The coalition recommends that laboratories adopt more standardized approaches to measuring and reporting calcium levels. This could include discontinuing routine correction of calcium values based on albumin concentrations and instead focusing on direct measurement methods that are less prone to variability. By advocating for these changes, the experts aim to improve patient care by ensuring more accurate and reliable laboratory results. They believe that a shift towards standardized practices will ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients with conditions such as osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease.
