Hypocalcemia means you have a too low, or deficient, blood calcium level. Calcium is an important mineral for your health because it’s a component of bones and teeth, as well as it’s mixed up in blood clotting along with muscle and nerve function.
The most common cause of hypocalcemia is hypoparathyroidism. Some other causes of blood calcium deficiency are:
- sepsis
- chelation
- alcoholism
- renal failure
- pancreatitis
- chemotherapy
- kidney disease
- rhabdomyolysis
- phosphate enemas
- hyperphosphatemia
- malnutrition ~ calcium, vitamin D, magnesium deficiency
If your calcium blood level deficiency is mild you may not experience any detectable symptoms. However, severe hypocalcemia will provide you notice via various muscle and nerve function problems in conjunction with some mental issues, like:
- myalgia
- hypotension
- paresthesias
- memory loss
- hallucinations
- anxiety, depression
- muscle stiffness, cramps, spasms, twitching
Hypocalcemia can cause respiratory and laryngeal muscle contractions that can result in stridor and cyanosis. Chronic calcium deficiency can also cause cataracts.
Treatment of hypocalcemia depends on its cause and severity. Severe hypocalcemia is treated with calcium ion injections.
With dietary deficiencies, your health care provider may advise supplementation of:
- calcium
- vitamin D
- magnesium
Not all calcium supplements are created equally.
You can help prevent dietary calcium deficiency caused hypocalcemia by consuming an adequate amount in your diet. As for the vitamin D deficiency aspect, its resolution may be as simple as getting a routine bit of healthy sunshine.
