Hypocalcemia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Management and Treatment

In this blog we will read about the condition caused due to low calcium levels i.e Hypocalcemia.

Hypocalcemia is a condition in which there is a low level of calcium in the blood(Not in bones), Many health conditions are associated with low blood calcium levels, usually, it is treatable but under severe and chronic conditions it requires proper diagnosis and treatment

What is Hypocalcemia?

Hypocalcemia is a condition that occurs due to low calcium levels in the blood Many different health conditions can cause Hypocalcemia but it is often caused by abnormal levels of Parathyroid hormone levels and vitamin D in our body, it can be mild, severe, temporary and chronic(Lifelong)

Importance of Calcium in Our Body

Calcium is one of the important minerals that helps strengthen our bones and also helps in regulating the metabolism essential for the normal functioning of the body, Calcium in the body helps

A low calcium level in your body can hinder your body's ability to perform these special functions a good calcium level in the body also helps to strengthen your bones and muscles and promotes flexibility and reflexes.

Two Hormones called Parathyroid hormone and calcitonin help regulate the calcium level in your blood and bones, vitamin D also helps in controlling the calcium level in your body and helps absorb calcium from the food you eat so it is one of the important factors that help regulate the good calcium level in the body.

Symptoms of Hypocalcemia

Mild Hypocalcemia usually does not show any symptoms but under severe conditions, it may show many symptoms

Symptoms of Mild Hypocalcemia include

If hypocalcemia is left untreated over time it can cause neurologic (affecting the nervous system) or psychologic (affecting the mind) symptoms, including:

When Severe conditions arise (blood calcium is abnormally very low in blood) can cause the following symptoms:

Tingling in your lips, tongue, fingers and/or feet.
Muscle aches.
Seizures.
Muscle spasms in your throat that make it difficult to breathe (Muscle spasms in your throat that make it difficult to breathe (laryngospasm)
Stiffening and spasms of your muscles (tetany).
Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia).
Congestive heart failure.

Causes of Hypocalcemia

There are many causes due to which Hypocalcemia may occur as there are several complex factors that help regulate the calcium level in the blood so depending upon this several different conditions and disorders can cause Hypocalcemia.

In most cases, issues with the Parathyroid level and Vitamin D level are associated with this condition this is because the PTH hormone regulates the calcium level in blood and Vitamin D helps absorb calcium from the blood.

The Three Most Common Causes Include

Hypoparathyroidism: It is a condition in which the Parathyroid gland is unable to make enough Hormone that is required to maintain the normal level of calcium in blood It consists of four small pea size glands behind your thyroid in your neck Low PTH level can lead to abnormally low level of calcium in your blood this disease may be inherited or one of the thyroid glands is removed surgically to treat the condition.

Vitamin D deficiency: Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium so if it is not taken properly its deficiency can lead to a low level of calcium in the blood. It can be caused by inherited disorder when not getting enough sunlight or due to a less rich vitamin D diet.

Kidney failure: Hypocalcemia in this condition is due to low Phosphorus levels in blood and decreased production of certain types of Vitamin D from renal tissues.

Other Causes of Hypocalcemia Include

Certain medications such as Bisphosphonates, corticosteroids, rifampin, calcitonin, chloroquine, cinacalcet, Denosumab, Foscarnet and plicamycin can all cause hypocalcemia

Pseudohypoparathyroidism: This is an inherited disorder in which your body is unable to respond properly to the normal amount of parathyroid hormone (PTH). your body acts in such a way that it does not have enough PTH level despite of normal level in the blood
Hypomagnesemia: It is a condition when there is an unusually low level of magnesium in your blood as magnesium is required to make and release parathyroid hormone (PTH), so during low magnesium levels not enough PTH is produced and blood calcium levels are also lower (hypocalcemia).
Pancreatitis: This disease also affects the calcium level in the blood and approximately 15% to 88% of people who have acute pancreatitis will have hypocalcemia
Certain rare genetic disorders: Genetic diseases due to mutations in genes, such as DiGeorge syndrome, can cause hypocalcemia.

Diagnosis and Test

Hypocalcemia can be diagnosed through routine blood tests including a Comprehensive metabolic panel or basic metabolic panel which includes a calcium blood test this helps the healthcare provider detect the abnormal calcium level in the body

A serum blood calcium concentration below 8.8 mg/dl means the condition is serious and requires immediate treatment several other blood tests can help to detect the abnormally low level of calcium these are

Test available to Diagnose this condition

Other tests include

Electrocardiogram(EKG): It is a procedure that uses electrodes to check for abnormal heart rhythm as hypocalcemia can cause abnormal heart rhythm.

If Hypoparathyroidism is causing Hypocalcemia your provider may likely recommend an imaging test to check for the presence of any outgrowth and the size of the parathyroid gland Different imaging tests for this purpose include:

Ultrasound test.
Nuclear medicine imaging, (specifically a parathyroid scan).
CT (computed tomography) scan.
Bone imaging tests are done to check for the presence of osteomalacia or rickets that cause deformities in the bone.

Management and Treatment

Hypocalcemia can be treated through certain dietary and lifestyle modifications that can naturally elevate the calcium level in your body low calcium in the body can be treated by taking calcium supplements or by avoiding certain medications that lead to hypocalcemia, Some of the lifestyle and dietary modifications includes

Regular exercise: Do regular exercise as it helps in maintaining the calcium balance, improves metabolism and kidney functioning and helps maintain good calcium levels. Regularly do exercises like brisk walking, aerobic exercise or swimming which help keep your kidney and heart healthy and improve overall health.
Weight Management: Keep yourself active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle, eat a high calcium-rich diet that prevents calcium from decreasing and has a positive effect on your heart health, so include such foods in your diet that help in normalizing calcium levels and help maintain body weight.
Consume a calcium-rich diet: If you have hypocalcemia consume a diet that has a high content of calcium this includes processed foods, nuts, soda, beans, lentils, dairy products like (cheese and milk) and some whole grains like wheat, oats, rice etc.
Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption: Avoid bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and consuming tobacco as it may affect normal calcium level levels and increase the chances of calcium deficiency disorders.

Choose the top Diagnostic centre in Delhi

Ganesh Diagnostic is one of the most reputed and reputed diagnostic centres located in Delhi which provides a 24*7*365-day facility, all the test results here are 100% accurate so that patients get the best and right treatment to recover easily. Avail of the online appointment opportunity now.

We also provide free blood sample collection and cholesterol tests at home. Get tested at the best diagnostic centre with Ganesh Diagnostics.

A Note From Ganesh Diagnostics

Hypocalcemia is a potentially dangerous condition that has severe effects on our bodies as low calcium in our body can increase the chances of chronic diseases like osteomalacia, osteopenia and rickets to avoid this adopt a good healthy lifestyle that can naturally elevate your calcium level and if you want to know your calcium level gets tested and treated well from the top diagnostic centre near you.

FAQs

What can I expect during hypocalcemia?

You can adopt a good and healthy lifestyle that naturally improves your calcium level and in other conditions, you may take certain medications that improve calcium levels, take suggestions from your doctor and get treated well

What are the effects of hypocalcemia?

This condition can increase the risk of osteomalacia, weak bones, metabolic disorders, weakening of bone, Osteopenia, and brain and heart disease if not diagnosed and treated early, Improving your lifestyle will help manage this condition.