Hypocalcemia is caused by factors such as poor diet, certain medications, chelation, cancer, and lack of calcium in the bloodstream. Symptoms include muscle twitching, mood changes, and seizures. Treatment involves calcium supplementation and addressing the underlying condition. Patients at risk should monitor their calcium levels and consult with their doctors.
The most common causes of hypocalcemia, or low blood calcium levels, are things that interfere with calcium absorption and release into the bloodstream, such as eating a poor diet or taking certain medications. The main causes are also things that cause calcium to leave the bloodstream too quickly, such as chelation or cancer. Patients at risk for hypocalcemia can be monitored closely for early warning signs so that preventative measures can be taken if low blood calcium levels begin to develop.
Hypoparathyroidism is a major cause of hypocalcemia. People who have had their thyroid gland removed are at risk for hypocalcemia, as are people with other thyroid problems. Other causes of hypocalcemia related to lack of calcium in the bloodstream include imbalances in other electrolytes such as magnesium, along with vitamin D deficiencies. People who don’t get enough calcium in their diets or who consume foods that interfere with absorption also of calcium are at risk of having low calcium levels.
Some things can cause low calcium levels to develop by depleting the bloodstream of its calcium stores. Causes of hypocalcemia in this category include pancreatitis, chelation, tumors, and kidney failure. Other causes of hypocalcemia can include surgery, certain medications such as chemotherapy drugs, and sepsis.
People with low blood calcium may develop twitching muscles, mood changes, seizures, high blood pressure, stomach pain, and dry skin. Prolonged hypocalcemia can lead to congenital heart failure and other medical problems. A simple blood test can be used to check calcium levels along with levels of other electrolytes. If there are no known causes of hypocalcemia in a patient’s history, further tests may be recommended to check for problems such as hereditary conditions or damage to certain glands.
Immediate treatment for severe hypocalcemia is a calcium infusion to restore the patient’s levels. In the long term, calcium supplementation, dietary changes, and treatment of the underlying condition that has led to the drop in calcium levels are usually recommended. If no apparent cause of hypocalcemia could be identified, follow-up testing may be recommended after a patient has spent some time on the supplements to see if the problem has resolved. People who know they are at risk for hypocalcemia due to common causes of hypocalcemia, chronic conditions, or a genetic history may want to talk to their doctors about options for keeping their calcium levels in a safe range.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
