Serum phosphate in the general population: a need for sex-specific reference intervals.

This study in two population-based cohorts showed that women have higher serum phosphate concentrations than men and that women show a marked increase in serum phosphate during menopause. Moreover, the population range for serum phosphate was higher in women than in men. These findings indicate a need for sex-specific reference intervals for serum phosphate in adults older than 45 years.