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Hypocalcemia
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<p>Hypocalcemia is a medical condition characterized by low <a href="/facts/Calcium/hf252CC0">calcium</a> levels in the <a href="/facts/Blood_serum/a22tvug9">blood serum</a>. The normal range of blood calcium is typically between 2.1–2.6 <a href="/facts/Mmol/L/P2WL5b9q">mmol/L</a> (8.8–10.7 mg/dL, 4.3–5.2 <a href="/facts/MEq/L/ksgd425g">mEq/L</a>), while levels less than 2.1 mmol/L are defined as hypocalcemic. Mildly low levels that develop slowly often have no symptoms. Otherwise symptoms may include <a href="/facts/Paresthesia/hRBAxluk">numbness</a>, <a href="/facts/Muscle_spasms/62EfFXKP">muscle spasms</a>, <a href="/facts/Seizures/zuIrQyze">seizures</a>, confusion, or in extreme cases <a href="/facts/Cardiac_arrest/HIAm9AWX">cardiac arrest</a>. </p><p>The most common cause for hypocalcemia is <a href="/facts/Iatrogenic/GfgeWAXs">iatrogenic</a> <a href="/facts/Hypoparathyroidism/Dd79cfqo">hypoparathyroidism</a>. Other causes include other forms of hypoparathyroidism, <a href="/facts/Vitamin_D_deficiency/lWMkWjEm">vitamin D deficiency</a>, <a href="/facts/Kidney_failure/gsqb5nos">kidney failure</a>, <a href="/facts/Pancreatitis/gmbNTcCG">pancreatitis</a>, <a href="/facts/Calcium_channel_blocker_overdose/c3wneeKd">calcium channel blocker overdose</a>, <a href="/facts/Rhabdomyolysis/Cs08YHfR">rhabdomyolysis</a>, <a href="/facts/Tumor_lysis_syndrome/rSHyRzrN">tumor lysis syndrome</a>, and medications such as <a href="/facts/Bisphosphonates/s6po5jLd">bisphosphonates</a> or <a href="/facts/Denosumab/e1bmzygs">denosumab</a>. Diagnosis should generally be confirmed by determining the <a href="/facts/Corrected_calcium/wgUxKej5">corrected calcium</a> or <a href="/facts/Ionized_calcium/wgUxKej5">ionized calcium</a> level. Specific changes may also be seen on an <a href="/facts/Electrocardiogram/YpVswJ0W">electrocardiogram</a> (ECG). </p><p>Initial treatment for severe disease is with intravenous <a href="/facts/Calcium_chloride/e1EwNPGF">calcium chloride</a> and possibly <a href="/facts/Magnesium_sulfate/o3GwKEoQ">magnesium sulfate</a>. Other treatments may include <a href="/facts/Vitamin_D/No0zQB2W">vitamin D</a>, <a href="/facts/Magnesium/XyIhd2FG">magnesium</a>, and <a href="/facts/Calcium_supplements/h3qvzT3g">calcium supplements</a>. If due to <a href="/facts/Hypoparathyroidism/Dd79cfqo">hypoparathyroidism</a>, <a href="/facts/Hydrochlorothiazide/2LuDQVCu">hydrochlorothiazide</a>, <a href="/facts/Phosphate_binders/fErmoI7o">phosphate binders</a>, and a <a href="/facts/Low_salt_diet/1fIk4rSv">low salt diet</a> may also be recommended. About 18% of people who are being treated in hospital have hypocalcemia. </p>