Hypocalcemia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
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Hypocalcemia is low blood calcium that can affect nerves, muscles and the heart. It is not simply low dietary intake; interpretation considers symptoms, albumin and kidney function.
What is Hypocalcemia?
Some calcium is protein-bound and some is active ionized calcium. Low albumin can reduce total calcium without an equivalent reduction in the ionized portion.
Related reading: Other electrolyte imbalances.
Symptoms
Mild reductions can be silent. Tingling around the mouth or in limbs and muscle cramps may occur; severe cases can cause spasms, seizures or abnormal heart rhythms.
Causes
Causes include low parathyroid hormone, vitamin D deficiency, kidney disease, low magnesium and some medicines. It may follow thyroid or parathyroid surgery.
Risk factors
Neck surgery, kidney disease, malabsorption and certain treatments increase risk. General symptoms or an isolated test result need clinical interpretation rather than self-diagnosis.
Diagnosis
Testing may repeat calcium or measure ionized calcium. Albumin, magnesium, phosphate, kidney function, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D help identify the underlying problem.
Treatment
Care treats the cause and determines the need for calcium, vitamin D or magnesium replacement. Severe symptomatic cases may require intravenous calcium with heart monitoring in hospital.
Complications
Acute severe deficiency can cause arrhythmias or seizures. Some chronic causes affect bones or neurological function; complications vary with the cause and duration.
Prevention
Follow postoperative checks and prescribed dietary or supplement plans. Avoid unmonitored high doses, which can cause excess calcium or kidney complications.
When to see a doctor
Breathing difficulty, a seizure, severe spasm or palpitations with fainting requires emergency care. New tingling after neck surgery warrants prompt contact with the team.