What happens when calcium levels are low?
Hypocalcemia, commonly known as calcium deficiency disease, occurs when calcium levels in the
blood are low.
A long-term deficiency can lead to dental changes, cataracts, alterations in the brain,
and osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become brittle.
Complications of hypocalcemia can be life-threatening, and if the condition goes untreated, it could
eventually lead to death.
A calcium deficiency may have no early symptoms.
To avoid complications, a person should seek prompt diagnosis and treatment if they experience
any of the symptoms listed below.
In this article, we also describe the prevalence of calcium deficiency disease, how to prevent
it, and how it is treated.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms described below may become worse as the disease progresses.
1.
Muscle problems.
Muscle aches, cramps, and spasms are the earliest signs of a calcium deficiency.
People tend to feel pain in the thighs and arms, particularly the underarms, when walking
and otherwise moving.
A calcium deficiency can also cause numbness and tingling in the hands, arms, feet, legs,
and around the mouth.
These sensations may indicate a more severe deficiency.
These symptoms can come and go, but they do not disappear with activity, and a person
may have to wait them out.
2.
Extreme fatigue.
Low levels of calcium can cause insomnia or sleepiness.
People tend to experience:
-extreme fatigue.
-lethargy.
-an overall feeling of sluggishness.
-lack of energy.
-Fatigue associated with calcium deficiency can also cause lightheadedness, dizziness,
and brain fog, which involves lack of focus, forgetfulness, and confusion.
3.
Nail and skin symptoms.
Chronic calcium deficiency can affect the skin and nails.
The skin may become dry and itchy, and researchers have linked hypocalcemia to eczema and psoriasis.
Eczema is a general term for skin inflammation.
Symptoms include itchiness, redness, and skin blisters.
Eczema is highly treatable, while psoriasis can be managed, but there is no cure.
A calcium deficiency may lead to dry, broken, and brittle nails.
It can also contribute to alopecia, a condition that causes hair to fall out in round patches.
4.
Osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Calcium deficiency can lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Osteopenia reduces the mineral density of bones, and it can lead to osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis makes bones thinner and more susceptible to fractures.
It can cause pain, issues with posture, and eventual disability.
While osteopenia is less severe than osteoporosis, both cause diminished bone density and increased
risk of breaks and fractures.
The bones store calcium well, but they require high levels to stay strong.
When overall levels of calcium are low, the body can divert it from the bones, making
them brittle and prone to injury.
It takes years for bones to lose their density, and a calcium deficiency may take as long
to cause serious problems.
5.
Painful premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Low calcium levels have been linked to severe PMS.
Participants in one 2017 study reported improved mood and reduced rates of fluid retention
after taking 500 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily for 2 months.
Results of a clinical trial from 2009 also demonstrated a link between increased calcium
intake and the improvement of PMS symptoms.
Participants who took 500 mg of calcium daily over 3 months also reported less depression
and fatigue, and improved appetite.
6.
Dental Problems.
When the body lacks calcium, it pulls it from sources such as the teeth.
This can lead to dental problems, including weak roots, irritated gums, brittle teeth,
and tooth decay.
Also, calcium deficiency in infants can delay tooth formation.
7.
Depression.
Calcium deficiency has been linked to mood disorders, including depression, though evidence
is lacking.
Anyone who suspects that a calcium deficiency is contributing to depressive symptoms should
ask a doctor to check their levels.
Calcium supplements could help to manage these symptoms.
When to see a doctor.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of a calcium deficiency should speak with a doctor.
They will order tests and check the levels of calcium in the blood.
The normal range for adults is 8.8–10.4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Children require more calcium than adults, and any level lower than 8.8 mg/dL constitutes
a deficiency.
How common is calcium deficiency disease?
While incidence and prevalence are not yet firmly established, the following information
can give an impression of who is at risk.
Calcium deficiency in the United States.
According to a 2013 report published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition,
the following populations are most likely to have a calcium deficiency:
-older adults.
-teenagers.
-minorities.
-people who are overweight.
Calcium deficiency worldwide.
In 2013, authors at British universities reported that calcium deficiency is common in chronically
ill people.
According to global estimates published in 2015, 3.5 billion people are at risk for calcium
deficiency.
Authors at Pakistani universities surveyed 252 female participants.
While 41 percent were calcium and vitamin D deficient, 78 percent reported symptoms
consistent with these deficiencies, including pain in the back, legs, and joints.
Results suggest that many women have low levels of these nutrients but may be unaware.
Complications.
Calcium deficiency has been linked to:
-seizures.
-dental problems.
-depression.
-various skin conditions.
-chronic joint and muscle pain.
-fractures.
-disability.
A study that included 1,038 people admitted for critical care at the Royal Liverpool University
Hospital found that 55.2 percent were hypocalcemic and that 6.2 percent of these people had a
severe deficiency.
Treatment and prevention.
The safest and easiest way to manage and prevent a calcium deficiency is to add more calcium
to the diet.
Some calcium-rich foods include:
-dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
-beans.
-figs.
-broccoli.
-tofu.
-soy milk.
-spinach.
-fortified cereals.
-nuts and seeds, including almonds and sesame seeds.
The daily recommended amount of calcium in the diet is 1,000 mg for people aged 19–50,
while children, teens, and older adults tend to require more.
It is not a good idea to start taking calcium supplements without first consulting a doctor.
Too much calcium increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney stones, and other serious
health problems.
When a deficiency is severe, or when supplements and dietary adjustments are not achieving
sufficient results, a doctor may prescribe calcium injections.
Takeaway.
Calcium deficiency can occur for a number of reasons and is most easily prevented through
dietary changes.
Most people with calcium deficiencies who take supplements or receive injections notice
improved symptoms within a few weeks.
People with severe deficiencies may be monitored to prevent complications.