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Reference.org
Calcium metabolism
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<p>Calcium metabolism is the movement and regulation of <a href="/facts/Calcium/hf252CC0">calcium</a> ions (Ca2+) <i>in</i> (via the <a href="/facts/Gastrointestinal_tract/nK2zwqBS">gut</a>) and <i>out</i> (via the gut and <a href="/facts/Kidney/HBspPrv9">kidneys</a>) of the body, and <i>between</i> body compartments: the <a href="/facts/Blood_plasma/oHuwwugG">blood plasma</a>, the <a href="/facts/Extracellular_fluid/hzm4qatP">extracellular</a> and <a href="/facts/Intracellular_fluid/CYV4l60r">intracellular</a> fluids, and <a href="/facts/Bone/kwJaR6IQ">bone</a>. Bone acts as a calcium storage center for deposits and withdrawals as needed by the blood via continual <a href="/facts/Bone_remodeling/eoanghIb">bone remodeling</a>.: 276–277 </p><p>An important aspect of calcium <a href="/facts/Metabolism/WxDrm8k5">metabolism</a> is <a href="/facts/Blood_calcium/wgUxKej5">plasma calcium</a> <a href="/facts/Homeostasis/rloTGAHa">homeostasis</a>, the regulation of calcium ions in the <a href="/facts/Blood_plasma/oHuwwugG">blood plasma</a> within <a href="/facts/Reference_ranges_for_blood_tests/Fls5Gbtb">narrow limits</a>. The level of the calcium in plasma is regulated by the hormones <a href="/facts/Parathyroid_hormone/Dh7Uld78">parathyroid hormone</a> (PTH) and <a href="/facts/Calcitonin/E0xGEcr5">calcitonin</a>. PTH is released by the <a href="/facts/Parathyroid_chief_cell/U92VSAhX">chief cells</a> of the <a href="/facts/Parathyroid_glands/HmyY4S4m">parathyroid glands</a> when the plasma calcium level falls below the normal range in order to raise it; calcitonin is released by the <a href="/facts/Parafollicular_cell/y5lhNJQz">parafollicular cells</a> of the <a href="/facts/Thyroid_gland/bjovTJVu">thyroid gland</a> when the plasma level of calcium is above the normal range in order to lower it. </p>