The body's most abundant mineral is calcium. Its primary function is to help build and maintain bones and teeth. Calcium is also important to heart health, nerves, muscles and skin. Calcium helps control blood acid-alkaline balance, plays a role in cell division, muscle growth and iron utilization, activates certain enzymes, and helps transport nutrients through cell membranes.

High levels of phosphate in the blood can make you itch and can also affect your bones. Dialysis helps to remove excess phosphate. You may also need to take tablets with your food (phosphate binders e.G. Calcium carbonate) and to limit certain foods which are high in phosphate.
Albumin is a type of body protein. It is made in the liver and is present in the blood. A low albumin level can be an early sign of kidney failure.

If you are being treated with dialysis, the albumin level in your blood gives an indication of whether you are eating enough protein. High protein foods include meat, fish and eggs. Do you eat a lot of meat? That could be why.