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Phosphate

Abbreviation: PO4

Panel: Metabolic, Kidney & Electrolytes · All metabolic & kidney tests

Typical adult reference range

Conventional units2.5–4.5 mg/dL
SI units0.81–1.45 mmol/L

Ranges vary between laboratories and methods — compare your result with the range printed on your own report.

What a high or low result can mean

High phosphate: high values can be seen in kidney disease and hypoparathyroidism.

Low phosphate: low values may occur with poor intake, refeeding, or hyperparathyroidism.

These are associations, not a diagnosis: the same result can have several causes, and your clinician interprets it with the rest of your results and history.

Good to know

Also reported as phosphorus.

◆ Kidney note

This test is closely tied to kidney health, and it is one a kidney specialist (nephrologist) watches closely. On this site, kidney-related results are a special focus: see the kidney and dialysis medicines in our Drug Guide and the kidney condition hubs for the wider picture.

Related tests — Metabolic, Kidney & Electrolytes

AlbuminAmylaseAnion GapBeta-HydroxybutyrateBicarbonateBlood Urea NitrogenBUN-to-Creatinine RatioCalcium, Total
Please note: Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and between the methods and instruments they use — the range printed on your own report is the one your result should be compared with. A result outside the range is not by itself a diagnosis, and a result inside it does not rule out illness. These pages are an educational summary, not medical advice: always discuss your results with the clinician who ordered them, who can interpret them in the context of your health and history.