Hypocalcemia is a low level of calcium in your blood. Calcium is a mineral that helps the heart and other muscles function properly and it maintains strong teeth and bones. It also supports nerve function, so when your calcium levels are too low, nerve sensations are disrupted and your lips may feel numb and tingling.

Hypocalcemia can be caused by hypoparathyroidism. This occurs when your parathyroid glands (located in the neck behind the thyroid gland) don’t produce enough parathyroid hormone, which is important for regulating calcium levels. It can also be caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Symptoms

Symptoms of low calcium include numbness and tingling, painful menstrual periods, skin changes (dry and brittle hair, skin, and nails), and feeling depressed or anxious.

Treatment

See your doctor if you suspect you have hypocalcemia or hypoparathyroidism. Treatment may include supplements (calcium, vitamin D, magnesium), diuretics, or injections of a medication that mimics your body’s natural parathyroid hormone.

Go to the ER if you have severe symptoms of low calcium levels, like extreme fatigue, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, or an abnormal heartbeat. Very low calcium levels can lead to death, so you need care immediately. Treatment may include oral or IV medications to increase calcium levels.

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The stories shared below are not written by Buoy employees. Buoy does not endorse any of the information in these stories. Whenever you have questions or concerns about a medical condition, you should always contact your doctor or a healthcare provider.

Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH.

Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Dr. Rothschild has been a faculty member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP...

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