The calcium level in blood can be moderately low without causing any symptoms. If levels of calcium are low for long periods, people may develop dry scaly skin, brittle nails, and coarse hair. Muscle cramps involving the back and legs are common.
A long-term calcium deficiency can lead to dental changes, cataracts, alterations in the brain, and osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become brittle. A calcium deficiency may cause no early symptoms. It is usually mild, but without treatment, it can become life threatening.
In patients with acute symptomatic hypocalcemia, intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate is the preferred therapy, whereas chronic hypocalcemia is treated with oral calcium and vitamin D supplements.
A few weeks of adequate calcium intake should be enough to boost your levels, but again, another blood test is the only way to know for sure.
Hypocalcemia is associated with several types of cancer, but is more frequent in hematological, colorectal, lung, and thyroid cancers. A low calcium level measured at some point in a patient with cancer seems to not be significantly associated with lower survival.
A lack of calcium in your diet might also result in other conditions such as osteomalacia, which can cause rickets. Weak bones such as these might result in fatal injuries, which might lead to long-term joint pain like seen on many athletes.
The main cause of low blood calcium levels is having the parathyroid glands in your neck removed. This might be necessary for some types of cancer in the neck area. It can also happen if the parathyroid glands are damaged during thyroid gland surgery. Or during other types of surgery to the head and neck.
Mineral-rich water could provide an important supplementary contribution to total calcium and magnesium intake according to results from a French study [23].
Kiwi: Kiwi fruits come with more than 34mg of calcium every 100 gm. Mulberries: These, on the other hand, have rich calcium sources, as 100 gm of it contains 39mg of calcium. Blackberries: Other fruits high in calcium include blackberries. These offer about 29mg per 100 gm.
Data suggest that a diet deficient in calcium is associated with higher body weight and that augmenting calcium intake may reduce weight and fat gain or enhance loss.
Because calcium helps with muscle contraction, low levels of the mineral means you might experience more muscle cramps than usual, Kang says, specifically in your back and legs. Other symptoms include brittle fingernails, bone-related injuries, irregular heartbeat and tingling in arms and legs.
As ageing progresses, due to decreased dietary uptake and reduced absorption, calcium homeostasis is altered. Vitamin D deficiency, renal failure, and parathyroid hormone deficiency or resistances are the common culprits of hypocalcemia in elderly.
Fatigue. Insomnia, sleepiness, and extreme fatigue are one of the most common symptoms of low calcium in the blood. Most people experience lethargy, a feeling of sluggishness, and lack of energy. Symptoms of dizziness, brain fog, and lightheadedness are also experienced.
Certain lifestyle adjustments can help keep calcium levels balanced and bones healthy. These include: Drinking plenty of water: Staying hydrated may lower blood calcium levels, and it can help prevent kidney stones.
A common cause of mild or transient hypercalcemia is dehydration. Having less fluid in your blood causes a rise in calcium concentrations.
Chew or crush calcium supplements, swallow them, and then drink at least 8 ounces of water to help further dissolve them. If calcium supplements cause side effects, try drinking more water or increasing the amount of fiber in your diet.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
Magnesium is required for the production and release of parathyroid hormone, so when magnesium is too low, insufficient parathyroid hormone is produced and blood calcium levels are also reduced (hypocalcemia). The hypocalcemia is described as "secondary" because it occurs as a consequence of hypomagnesemia.
If you don't consume enough calcium in your diet, your body takes calcium from your bones to use in your blood, which can weaken your bones. Hypocalcemia happens when there are low levels of calcium in your blood, not your bones.
If a lack of calcium is observed, your body will start to take calcium from your bones and teeth instead. This will weaken your bones and teeth, placing you at an elevated risk for damage, tooth decay and osteoporosis. Dental Concerns – weak roots, brittle teeth, tooth decay and irritated gums.