Blood biochemistry: phosphate

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Sections available in full article Overview, Uses, Sampling, Source of test material, Quantity of test material, Sample collection technique, Quality control, Test (s), Methodologies, Technique (intrinsic) limitations, Result data, Normal (reference) values, Abnormal values, Errors and Artifacts, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Kathleen P Freeman DVM MS PhD MRCVS
Synonyms PO4

Overview

  • Major component of bones and teeth.
  • Also important in energy metabolism and acid/base balance.
  • Parathyroid hormone is main regulator - excreted through kidneys.
  • Marker of bone disease, parathyroid function  PTH assay  and renal function  Kidney: chronic kidney disease  .

Uses

In combination

  • Investigation and monitoring of:
    • Primary hyperparathyroidism  Mammary fibroepithelial hyperplasia  .
    • Hypercalcemia of malignancy.
  • Renal failure  Kidney: chronic kidney disease  .
  • Osteolytic bone tumor.
  • Calciferol poisoning.
  • Treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Result data

Normal (reference) values

  • 1.1-2.8 mmol/l (3.4-8.7 mg/dl).
    < 0.3 mmol/l may result in signs of hemolysis or myopathy.

Abnormal values

Hyperphosphatemia
  • High phosphate diet (meat/offal).
  • Chronic renal failure  Kidney: chronic kidney disease  .
  • Renal cortical hypoplasia.
  • Nephropathies  Glomerulonephritis  .
  • Decreased glomerular filtration rate (including dehydration, pre-renal, renal and post-renal disease.
  • Osteolytic bone neoplasia.
  • Hypervitaminosis D (calciferol poisoning).
  • Bladder rupture  Bladder: trauma rupture  .
  • Phosphate enema toxicity.

Hypophosphatemia

  • Administration of oral phosphate-binding agents, eg aluminum hydroxide.
  • Hypercalcemia of malignancy.
  • Primary hyperparathyroidism  Mammary fibroepithelial hyperplasia  .
  • Glucocorticoid therapy  Prednisolone  .
  • Hyperadrenocorticism  Hyperadrenocorticism  .
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis  Diabetic ketoacidosis  .

Errors and Artifacts

False increase
  • Hemolysis or prolonged contact of serum with cells resulting in shift of phosphorus from inside cells into serum.
  • Hemolysis may result in artifactual increase.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Adams L G, Hardy R M, Weiss D J & Bartges J W (1993) Hypophosphatemia and haemolytic anemia associated with diabetes mellitus and hepatic lipidosis in cats. JVIM 7, 266-271.
  • Willard M D, Zerbe L A, Schall W D, Johnson C, Crow S E & Jones R (1987) Severe hypophosphatemia associated with diabetes mellitus in six dogs and one cat. JAVMA 190, 1007-1010.

Other sources of information

  • Ettinger S J & Feldman E C (eds) (2000) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 5th edn. Philadelphia: W B Saunders & Co. ISBN: 0 7216 6795 3.
  • Kaneko J J, Harvey J W & Bruss M L (eds) (1997) Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals. 5th edn. Boston: Academic Press. ISBN: 0 1239 6305 2.
  • Duncan J R, Prasse K W & Mahaffey E A (1994) Veterinary Laboratory Medicine -Clinical Pathology. 3rd edn. Ames: Iowa University Press.

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