Essential element.Encyclopedia Entry for Phosphorus :Phosphorus blood test. A blood sample is needed.Your health care provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking medicines that may affect the test. These medicines include water pills (diuretics), antacids, and laxatives. DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away.Phosphorus is a mineral the body needs to build strong bones and teeth. It is also important for nerve signaling and muscle contraction. This test is ordered to see how much phosphorus is in your blood. Kidney, liver, and certain bone diseases can cause abnormal phosphorus levels.Normal values range from: Adults: 2.8 to 4.5 mg/dL Children: 4.0 to 7.0 mg/dL Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.A higher than normal level (hyperphosphatemia) may be due to many different health conditions. Common causes include: Diabetic ketoacidosis (life-threatening condition that may occur in people with diabetes) Hypoparathyroidism (parathyroid glands do not make enough of their hormone) Kidney failure Liver disease Too much vitamin D Too much phosphate in your diet Use of certain medicines such as laxatives that have phosphate in them A lower than normal level (hypophosphatemia) may be due to: Alcoholism Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the body) Primary hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid glands make too much of their hormone) Too little dietary intake of phosphate Very poor nutrition Too little vitamin D, resulting in bone problems such as rickets (childhood) or osteomalacia (adult).There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include: Fainting or feeling lightheaded Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma (blood buildup under the skin) Excessive bleeding Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken).Phosphorus - serum; HPO4 -2 ; PO4 -3 ; Inorganic phosphate; Serum phosphorus.Blood test Blood test.Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Phosphorus (inorganic phosphate) - serum.Encyclopedia Entry for Phosphorus :Phosphorus in diet. The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth. It plays an important role in how the body uses carbohydrates and fats. It is also needed for the body to make protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. Phosphorus also helps the body make ATP, a molecule the body uses to store energy. Phosphorus works with the B vitamins. It also helps with the following: Kidney function Muscle contractions Normal heartbeat Nerve signaling.The main food sources are the protein food groups of meat and milk. A diet that includes the right amounts of meal plan calcium and protein will also provide enough phosphorus. Whole-grain breads and cereals contain more phosphorus than cereals and breads made from refined flour. However, the phosphorus is stored in a form that is not absorbed by humans. Fruits and vegetables contain only small amounts of phosphorus.Phosphorus is so readily available in the food supply so deficiency is rare. Excessively high levels of phosphorus in the blood, although rare, can combine with calcium to form deposits in soft tissues such as muscle. High levels of phosphorus in blood only occur in people with severe kidney disease or severe dysfunction of their calcium regulation.According to Institute of Medicine recommendations, the recommended dietary intakes of phosphorus are as follows: 0 to 6 months: 100 milligrams per day (mg/day)* 7 to 12 months: 275 mg/day* 1 to 3 years: 460 mg/day 4 to 8 years: 500 mg/day 9 to 18 years: 1,250 mg Adults: 700 mg/day Pregnant or lactating women: Younger than 18: 1,250 mg/day Older than 18: 700 mg/day *AI or Adequate Intake.Diet - phosphorus.Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. National Academies Press. Washington, DC, 1997. PMID: 23115811 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23115811. Mason JB. Vitamins, trace minerals, and other micronutrients.