PO4 - Fosfat

• Phosphate is a charged particle (ion) that contains the mineral phosphorus. The body needs phosphorus to build and repair bones and teeth, help nerves function, and make muscles contract.
  Most (about 85%) of the phosphorus contained in phosphate is found in bones. The rest of it is stored in tissues throughout the body.

• The kidneys  help control the amount of phosphate in the blood.
  Extra phosphate is filtered by the kidneys and passes out of the body in the urine.
  A high level of phosphate in the blood is usually caused by a kidney problem.

• The amount of phosphate in the blood affects the level of calcium in the blood. 
  Calcium and phosphate in the body react in opposite ways: as blood calcium levels rise, phosphate levels fall.
  A hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates the levels of calcium and phosphorus in your blood.
  When the phosphorus level is measured, a vitamin D level, and sometimes a PTH level, is measured at the same time. 
  Vitamin D is needed for your body to take in phosphate.

• The relation between calcium and phosphate may be disrupted by some diseases or infections.
  For this reason, phosphate and calcium levels are usually measured at the same time.

Høye verdier

• A high level of phosphate in the blood is usually caused by a kidney problem.

Lave verdier

• as blood calcium levels rise, phosphate levels fall.