When you have hypocalcemia, the level of calcium in the blood is very low.
- A low calcium level may result from a problem in the parathyroid glands, as well as from diet, kidney disorders, or the use of certain drugs.
- Muscle cramps are common as hypocalcemia progresses, with possible confusion, depression, forgetfulness, and a tingling sensation in the lips, fingers, and feet, as well as a feeling of stiffness and soreness in the muscles.
- Usually, the disorder is detected by routine blood tests.
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements can be used to treat hypocalcemia.
Calcium is one of the body’s electrolytes, which are minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids such as blood (but most calcium in the body is not charged). Although most of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones, some of it circulates in the bloodstream. About 40% of the calcium is bound to blood proteins, mainly with albumin. Calcium bound to protein acts as a backup source of calcium for cells but has no effective function in the body. The effect of calcium on the body’s functions is limited to the unbound form. Consequently, hypocalcemia only causes problems when the level of the unbound form is low. Where the non-bound form of calcium has an electrical (ionic) charge, so it is called ionized calcium as well.
Causes of Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia is the most common result of losing too much calcium in the urine or when not enough calcium passes from the bones into the blood. Causes of hypocalcemia include the following:
- A low level of parathyroid hormone (hypoparathyroidism), as can occur when the parathyroid glands are damaged during thyroid surgery
- A deficiency in response to the normal level of parathyroid hormone (pseudopathyroidism)
- Absence of the parathyroid glands from birth (such as DiGeorge syndrome)
- A low level of magnesium (hypomagnesemia), which limits the effectiveness of parathyroid hormone
- Vitamin D deficiency (due to insufficient intake or insufficient exposure to sunlight)
Hypocalcemia (a Low Level of Calcium in the Blood) 