We all know that calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth. But did you know that in addition to the calcium in our bones, the calcium in our blood is also very important for many functions in our body? If the calcium level in this blood is lower than normal, we call it hypocalcemia. This can cause problems that you don't expect. So let's talk about this in a little more detail today.
Simply put, what is hypocalcemia?
Hypocalcemia is when your blood calcium level is too low. Calcium is not only essential for our bones and teeth, but it is also essential for blood vessels to contract and dilate, nerve impulses to transmit, blood clotting, and muscle function. Normally, our bodies regulate this calcium level very well. Three main hormones help with this: parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, and vitamin D. Normally, an adult's blood calcium level should be between 8.5 and 10.2 mg/dL (milligrams/deciliter). However, these values can vary slightly from lab to lab. In children and young adults, this value is slightly higher. If the calcium level in your blood report is lower than this normal value, that is hypocalcemia.
Why does this happen? What are the causes of hypocalcemia?
This condition usually occurs when your body loses too much calcium in your urine or when your bones don't release enough calcium into your blood. Let's look at the main causes.
| Reason | Simple explanation |
|---|
| Hypoparathyroidism | The parathyroid glands are four small glands located behind the thyroid gland in our neck. These are the ones that produce the hormone PTH, which controls calcium. If these glands are damaged during something like thyroid surgery, PTH levels decrease and calcium levels in the blood decrease. |
| Vitamin D deficiency | Vitamin D is like a friend that helps the body absorb calcium. If you don't get enough vitamin D from sunlight, food, or medication, calcium absorption decreases and blood calcium levels drop. |
| Chronic kidney disease | When the kidneys don't work properly, it becomes difficult for the body to use vitamin D. Also, a mineral called phosphorus builds up in the blood. These problems can cause low calcium levels. |
| Other reasons | - Abnormalities in magnesium levels: Either too much or too little magnesium can affect calcium levels.
- Pancreatitis : This condition can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption or gallstones and can lead to low calcium levels.
- Some medications: It can also be caused by medications for epilepsy, some antibiotics , and medications for bone cancer.
- Pregnancy: Sometimes this condition can be caused by nutritional deficiencies or excessive vomiting .
- Severe infections: Calcium levels can drop in severe infections that spread throughout the body, such as sepsis .
|
What are the symptoms of hypocalcemia?
Sometimes you may not have any symptoms, but sometimes this condition can be very severe and life-threatening.
Mild symptoms
- Muscle cramps in the back and legs
- Dry, scaly skin
- Hair becoming thicker than usual
- Nails break easily
Symptoms that may occur when the condition is severe
- Numbness of the lips, tongue, fingertips, or feet
- Unbearably painful contractions of the muscles
- Difficulty breathing due to constriction of the throat muscles
- Seizures
- Heart rhythm abnormalities (Arrhythmia) and heart failure
- Mental changes such as memory loss, depression, irritability, and hallucinations
What is tetany? Tetany is a collection of symptoms caused by hypocalcemia . It is characterized by irritability and involuntary muscle contractions. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and difficulty breathing in the limbs. If tetany is not treated promptly, it can progress to a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, which can cause muscle breakdown and kidney failure.
How to recognize this condition?
The main way to diagnose this is with a blood test. Your doctor may check both total calcium and ionized calcium. In addition, your doctor will look for two specific signs when examining you: 1.
Chvostek sign: Imagine that the doctor is tapping a nerve in your jaw with his finger. If you feel a tingling sensation on the side of your face, that could be the sign. 2.
Trousseau sign: If a blood pressure cuff is placed on your arm and held for about 3 minutes, the muscles in your arm and wrist contract painfully. This is a very important test to check for hypocalcemia. You may need to have more tests to find the cause of this condition.
- Blood tests to check magnesium, phosphorus, PTH hormone, and vitamin D levels
- Urine tests to check kidney health
- Ultrasound scan to check for kidney stones
- EKG (Electrocardiogram) test to check for heart rhythm abnormalities
- A bone scan to check the condition of the bones
How is it treated?
The treatment you receive will depend on the cause of the disease and the severity of your symptoms.
- For mild symptoms: You may be prescribed calcium and vitamin D tablets to take daily. It is very important to take the exact dosage your doctor prescribes.
- For severe symptoms: If your symptoms are severe, if you have heart rhythm problems, or if the condition comes on suddenly, you may need to be hospitalized and given calcium through a vein (intravenous - IV). It is usually given in a form called calcium gluconate. After IV treatment, you may need to take calcium tablets for a while.
- Treating the underlying cause: If your magnesium levels are low, you may need to treat it, including treating kidney disease.
The most important thing is, never take calcium pills on your own. Always consult your doctor and take only the dosage he or she prescribes.
Complications that may occur if left untreated
Symptoms usually go away with treatment, but if left untreated, very dangerous complications can occur.
- Heart failure
- Seizures
- Life-threatening heart rhythm disorders
Also, taking high doses of calcium and vitamin D for a long time can cause side effects such as kidney stones. Therefore, it is very important to always take treatment under the supervision of a doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Hypocalcemia is a condition in which the level of calcium in the blood is low. This affects not only the bones, but the entire body.
- Don't ignore symptoms like tingling or numbness. It could be an early sign of a serious condition.
- Since there are many causes of this condition, it is essential to find and treat the cause as well as treat the symptoms.
- If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Follow his or her instructions for the necessary tests and treatment.
Hypocalcemia, calcium deficiency, calcium deficiency, muscle twitching, numbness, vitamin D, parathyroid
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