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Causes of a decrease in calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia)
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
The most common cause of decrease in total calcium in blood serum is hypoalbuminemia. If the content of ionized calcium in this case is within normal limits, the exchange of calcium in the body is not violated. Causes of a decrease in the serum concentration of ionized calcium:
- kidney failure;
- Hypoparathyroidism (unknown etiology or postoperative);
- severe hypomagnesemia;
- hypermagnesia;
- acute pancreatitis;
- necrosis of skeletal muscles;
- decay of the tumor;
- vitamin D deficiency.
A low concentration of calcium is sometimes observed in patients in a serious condition for no apparent reason.
The clinical manifestations of hypocalcemia vary depending on the degree and rate of decrease in the level of calcium. Increased excitability of nerves and muscles leads to paresthesia and tetany, including tonic cramps of the muscles of the hands and feet. Positive symptoms of Tissot and Tail-tail indicate a latent tetany. Severe hypocalcemia causes drowsiness, confusion, rarely spasm of the larynx, convulsions and reversible heart failure. The QT interval was prolonged on the ECG.