Few areas in the clinical laboratory field presented a more accelerated recent evolution than that of the tests for diagnosis and monitoring of osteometabolic diseases. Newer knowledge about physiopathology, newer therapeutic modalities and new diagnostic tests, turned this field much more complex, effective and interesting. The differential diagnosis of hyper and hypocalcemia and the definition and follow-up of osteoporosis therapeutics, are two of the areas where a more significant progress has been made. On the other side, the good use of all this potential asks the professionals working in this area an even deeper knowledge, so that the new tests are employed with efficacy and coherence.
Osteometabolic diseases; Osteoporosis; Hypercalcemia; Hypocalcemia; Bone metabolic markers
