Mineral blood tests

What does the Minerals measure?

These tests measure calcium (total and ionised), magnesium, phosphorus and trace minerals such as zinc and copper.

Why is the Minerals ordered?

They are ordered alongside bone, kidney and nutrition assessments and to review certain symptoms.

Tests in this panel

Each test links to its own page with named reference-range sources.

Sources: [Endocrine Society] [CLSI] [Institute of Medicine] [WHO]

• CalciumCalcium is the most plentiful mineral in the body, stored mainly in the skeleton as a hard mineral store. The small fraction circulating in blood drives muscle contraction, nerve signalling, and clotting, and this test measures that circulating amount.
• Ionised CalciumIonised calcium is the fraction of blood calcium not attached to proteins, so it is biologically available. This unbound form is what triggers nerve impulses, muscle movement, and clotting, and the test measures it directly.
• MagnesiumMagnesium is a mineral your body uses in hundreds of tasks. These include making energy, building protein, moving your muscles, and repairing DNA, and this test measures how much is in your blood.
• PhosphorusPhosphorus is a mineral, measured in blood as phosphate. Your body needs it for strong bones, for storing energy, and for building the walls of your cells. This test measures your level.
• ZincZinc is a mineral your body needs in small amounts. It supports your immune system, helps wounds heal, aids growth, and keeps your taste and smell working. This test measures your level.
• CopperCopper is a trace mineral built into several enzymes. Those enzymes let the body move iron, form haemoglobin, protect nerve coatings, and build collagen; the test measures your blood level.
• SeleniumSelenium is a mineral your body needs in small amounts. It is part of proteins that protect your cells, support your thyroid, and help your immune system. This test measures your level.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the Minerals?

These tests measure calcium (total and ionised), magnesium, phosphorus and trace minerals such as zinc and copper. It typically reports 7 results: Calcium, Ionised Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper, Selenium.

Why is the Minerals ordered?

They are ordered alongside bone, kidney and nutrition assessments and to review certain symptoms.

How should the Minerals be read as a whole?

No single value tells the full story — the results are read together, and each value is compared against the reference range printed on your own report, which can vary by lab, method and equipment.

Do the reference ranges in the Minerals vary between labs?

Yes. Ranges depend on the laboratory's equipment and method, so the range printed on your own report is the one that applies to your result. Each test page names the standards body behind its range.