Hypocalcemia (low blood calcium)

Description Calcium is an essen...

Description

Calcium is an essential electrolyte in the blood. It can be found bound to proteins in the blood such as albumin or exist free as ionized calcium. The body's metabolism of calcium is complex and dependent on hormones (parathyroid hormone, calcitonin), vitamin D, and other electrolytes (magnesium and phosphate). Hypocalcemia can be a life threatening problem and may cause muscle spasms, an abnormal heart rhythm, fainting, and seizures. This disorder can be caused by a number of conditions, including: low levels of parathyroid hormone, vitamin D deficiency, a complication of thyroid surgery, pancreatitis, kidney failure, cancer, severe infection (sepsis), with certain medications, elevated magnesium levels, and with chemotherapy.

Symptoms

Weakness, seizure, muscle cramping, numbness, palpitations, fainting, slow heart rate, fainting, breathing problems.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to determine the severity and cause of the disorder will be done including: parathyroid hormone level, magnesium level, and phosphate level. An EKG and monitoring of the heart rhythm may be recommended.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Other Specific Tests: Parathyroid hormone level, magnesium, phosphate, calcium, ionized calcium

Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Nephrology, Family Practice, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Nephrology

Treatment

Therapy depends on the cause of the hypocalcemia, the symptoms and how low the calcium level is. Treatment includes: reversal of the underlying cause, oral or intravenous calcium replacement, and correction of other electrolyte abnormalities.