Calcium is needed in your bloodstream to support several vital body functions. If your levels of blood calcium fall too low, you can develop a condition called hypocalcemia. A substantial percentage of your blood calcium is attached to a protein called albumin. However, this "bound" form of the mineral doesn't play a role in the onset of hypocalcemia, and decreases in its presence won't typically cause health problems.
Serum Albumin
Your body creates serum albumin in your liver, then releases it in your bloodstream. Once it's in your blood, it helps transport a variety of important substances, including calcium, the protein bilirubin, fatty acids, certain drugs and two hormones called cortisol and thyroxine. You also need albumin to maintain normal tissue growth and repair and to stop your blood from leaking its fluid content into your tissues. Typically, albumin levels in the bloodstream fall within a range between 3.4 and 5.4 g/dL.
Unbound Calcium
Roughly 60 percent of the calcium in your bloodstream is not attached to any other substance, according to "Merck Manual Home Edition." Because this unbound form of the mineral carries an electrical charge, it is also known as ionized calcium. You need this ionized calcium for basic muscle function, transmission of signals between your nerves, hormone secretion and the proper contraction and expansion of blood vessels. Hypocalcemia typically occurs when you excrete too much blood calcium in your urine or don't pull enough of the calcium in your bones into your bloodstream.
Bound Calcium
Roughly 40 percent of your blood calcium is attached to some form of protein, the "Merck Manual" explains. In most cases, albumin serves as the protein portion of this bound form of calcium. Your body uses bound calcium as a circulating reserve, and it does not affect the status of the body functions that rely on unbound or ionized calcium. For this reason, you can withstand a drop in your albumin-bound calcium without any ill effects on your health.
Considerations
If you have extremely low levels of ionized calcium, potential hypocalcemia-related symptoms include throat muscle spasms, heartbeat irregularities, muscle aches, abnormal muscle stiffening and tingling in your feet, fingers, lips or tongue. If you have moderately low ionized calcium levels, you may feel no immediate effects, but gradually develop psychological or nerve-related symptoms such as depression, hallucinations, memory loss, confusion or delirium. If you have a low blood albumin level, you can develop abnormal swelling in your abdomen, ankles or lungs. Consult your doctor for additional information on the links between calcium and albumin in your bloodstream.
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