PHOSPHORUS

• 2.5 – 4.8 mg/dl

• Phosphorus is an abundant element in the human body and is omnipresent in its distribution. Phosphates are vital for energy production, muscle and nerve function and bone growth. They also play an important role as a buffer, helping to maintain the body’s acid base balance.
• About 85% of the 500 -600 gram of phosphorus in the adult is present in bone as hydroxyapatite crystals. Most of the body’s Phosphorus is combined with calcium within the skeleton, but about 15% exists in the blood and other soft tissues and body fluids as phosphate (PO4) ions.
• Most of the phosphorus in the extra cellular fluid is Inorganic. Higher phosphorus occurs in growing children. Adult values are lower than normal during menstruation. About two thirds of ingested phosphate is absorbed mostly in the jejunum.
• Absorption is increased in association with decreased dietary calcium and increased acidity of the intestinal contents. Absorption is also augmented by action of Vit D and growth hormone. Dietary Phosphorus is efficiently absorbed, so low PO4 caused by dietary deficiency is unlikely in the absence of mal absorption for individuals on a normal diet.

Hyperphosphatemia

• Bone metastasis
• Hypocalcemia
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Increased dietary intake of P04
• Liver disease
• Sarcoidosis
• Acute or chronic renal failure
• Addison's disease
• Acromegaly
• Sickle cell anaemia

• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Hypercalcemia
• Hyperinsulinism
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Rickets or osteomalacia
• Hypokalemia
• Acute gout
• Vomiting
• Malnutrition
• Sepsis