Minerals
Calcium / Phosphorus Ratio
What This Marker Tells Us
Compares these two minerals that regulate each other, revealing bone health, kidney function, parathyroid status, and the balance between bone formation and resorption.
Why It Matters
This ratio matters because calcium and phosphorus have reciprocal relationship controlled by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. Proper balance supports bone density, prevents ectopic calcification, and indicates kidney health. Imbalances suggest hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, vitamin D abnormalities, or bone disorders before more obvious symptoms appear. The ratio predicts bone loss, kidney disease progression, and cardiovascular calcification risk.
How to Interpret Your Trends
Low ratios indicate elevated phosphorus relative to calcium, suggesting kidney disease, hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D toxicity, or excessive phosphorus intake. Typical ratios (2.3-3.0) reflect normal mineral homeostasis and healthy bone metabolism. High ratios suggest hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, low phosphorus intake, or calcium excess. Both extremes increase fracture risk and soft tissue calcification risk.
What Influences This Marker
Kidney function dramatically affects phosphorus retention. Vitamin D influences calcium absorption and phosphorus regulation. Parathyroid hormone maintains tight control of both minerals. Diet high in processed foods and sodas elevates phosphorus. Calcium supplementation without adequate vitamin K2 may worsen the ratio. Adequate vitamin D, balanced mineral intake, and kidney health maintain optimal ratios.
How Your Team Uses It
Your coach uses this ratio to assess bone and kidney health comprehensively, guiding mineral and vitamin D supplementation strategies. Abnormal ratios prompt investigation of parathyroid function, kidney status, and vitamin D levels. It prevents inappropriate calcium supplementation when phosphorus is the issue.
Related Signals We Also Review
Calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, kidney function markers, alkaline phosphatase, and bone turnover markers complete the mineral metabolism assessment.