Low Blood Calcium Levels?

Question

Can low blood calcium levels cause chronic tiredness? I've had my thyroid and parathyroid checked and they came back okay.

I'm taking calcium and vitamin D supplements now, but am still feeling very tired all the time.

Answer 1

I'm not sure that I understand why you would think that you have a low calcium if your parathyroid level is normal, as this controls the level of calcium in your blood and is the most common cause of hypocalcaemia.

Hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium) does not cause chronic tiredness. It normally presents with sensations of numbness around your mouth, fingers or toes, muscle stiffness or pain, and can also cause anxiety and depression.

Answer 2

Symptoms

* Perioral tingling and parasthesia, 'pins and needles' sensation over the extremities of hands and feet. This is the earliest symptom of hypocalcemia.
* Tetany, carpopedal spasm are seen.
* Latent tetany
o Trousseau sign of latent tetany (eliciting carpal spasm by inflating the blood pressure cuff and maintaining the cuff pressure above systolic)
o Chvostek's sign (tapping of the inferior portion of the zygoma will produce facial spasms)
* Tendon reflexes are hyperactive
* Life threatening complications
o Laryngospasm
o Cardiac arrhythmias
* EKG changes
o Prolonged QTc
* Prolonged ST interval

Memory trick: Think of a glass of milk: Small amount of milk (hypocalcemia) leaves a mostly empty glass (Prolonged QTc). Large amount of milk (hypercalcemia) leaves a small amount of empty glass (Shortened QTc).

Management

* Two ampoules of intravenous calcium gluconate 10% is given slowly in a period of 10 minutes, or if the hypocalcemia is severe, calcium chloride is given instead.
* Maintenance doses of both calcium and vitamin-D (often as 1,25-(OH)2-D3, i.e. calcitriol)) are often necessary to prevent further decline.
Your present medications are fine.

I think you should take a second opinion from a endocrinologist.

Answer 3

B)activation of vitamin D through reabsorption of calcium in the kidney, in turn promoting the absorption of calcium from the intestines

Answer 4

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