What makes calcium levels low

Good sources of calcium include [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]:. If you follow a paleo-style or carnivore diet , you are probably avoiding dairy, soy, and nuts. This leaves you with fewer calcium rich-options.

Good calcium sources for people on meat-heavy diets include [ 19 , 22 ]:. Those on a more liberal paleo diet have additional sources to choose from, including kale, broccoli, bok choy, and other leafy greens. Below is the RDA for calcium. You should aim to get enough calcium every day, either from food or supplements. Going below the RDA for a short while is unlikely to cause harm, but it can lead to health problems in the long run [ 2 ]. Testing bone mineral density and PTH levels, instead, can tell your doctor more about your calcium status.

Disorders and diseases that compromise calcium absorption in the gut can also lead to hypocalcemia. Examples include chronic diarrhea and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Chrons and ulcerative colitis [ 23 , 10 ]. Magnesium deficiency is another factor that can lead to hypocalcemia. Without sufficient levels of magnesium, parathyroid hormone PTH cannot function properly.

Magnesium is important for both the production and secretion of PTH [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. On the other hand, a study suggests that high magnesium levels can also suppress PTH release, decreasing the calcium levels as a result [ 26 ]. When phosphorus levels increase suddenly e. Low calcium levels are often caused by low protein levels, especially albumin. This is the case in [ 4 ]:. However, in these cases, the unbound ionized calcium remains normal.

Therefore, your doctor can rule this out by checking your albumin or ionized calcium levels [ 4 ]. Due to a decrease in estrogen production, women are less able to retain calcium from dietary sources.

Bone turnover breakdown and replacement rapidly increases and hypocalcemia is more common. Women also have a higher risk of osteoporosis after menopause [ 27 , 28 ].

Kidney disease causes hypocalcemia since damaged kidneys retain less calcium and let more of it slip out into the urine. Damaged kidneys also produce less active vitamin D, which causes less calcium to be absorbed in the gut.

Meanwhile, rising phosphate levels increase bound calcium and its flushing with the urine [ 10 , 29 ]. Pancreatitis or pancreas inflammation is often accompanied by hypocalcemia, but the exact reason is unknown [ 30 ]. One theory is that lipopolysaccharides LPS , toxins released from bacteria, end up in the bloodstream when the gut barrier is compromised.

LPS cause calcium to accumulate in cells and tissues, leading to a drop in blood calcium levels [ 31 ]. Some rare genetic disorders can cause low calcium [ 35 , 36 ]. Chronic or severe hypocalcemia should always be treated by a doctor. Read more about how cancer might affect the calcium levels in your blood and what this could mean for you. Calcium is an important nutrient that our bodies need. Having cancer can affect the amount of calcium in the body. The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland that makes and releases hormones.

Thyroid cancer is when abnormal cells in the thyroid gland start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since Questions about cancer? Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us. Skip to main content.

Home About cancer Coping with cancer Coping physically Cancer and blood calcium levels Low calcium levels. Why people with cancer get low blood calcium Having low calcium is rare in people with cancer. What are the parathyroid glands? Hypoparathyroidism The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone PTH.

This is called hypoparathyroidism high-po-para-thi-royd-ism. Symptoms of low calcium include: painful muscle spasms and cramps twitching of muscles numbness or tingling in feet and hands numbness or tingling around the mouth Untreated low calcium can lead to more severe symptoms, such as: depression dry skin itching fits seizures , this is very rare Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

If your blood test results show hypocalcemia, your doctor may check your albumin level as well. If your albumin is low , your calcium level should be corrected for this. A corrected calcium level will be higher if the albumin is low. Return to list of Blood Test Abnormalities. Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.

For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www. Toggle navigation. Spanish About Chemocare. Hypocalcemia Low Calcium. What Is Hypocalcemia? What Causes Hypocalcemia? There are many causes of hypocalcemia, these include; Vitamin D deficiency Chronic renal failure Magnesium deficiency Alcoholism Biphosphonate therapy - drugs used to treat high blood calcium levels or pills used to treat osteoporosis. Certain types of leukemia or blood disorders A complication of chemotherapy, tumor lysis syndrome, occurs when your body breaks down tumor cells rapidly, after chemotherapy.

This may cause hypocalcemia, high blood potassium levels, and other electrolyte abnormalities. This is very serious, and if your blood test results indicate you suffer from it, your doctor or health care provider will need to closely monitor you during this time.

Drugs such as diuretics, estrogens replacement therapy, fluorides, glucose, insulin, excessive laxative use, and magnesium may also lead to hypocalcemia. Certain things in your diet, like caffeine, phosphates found in soda pop , and certain antibiotics may make it difficult for you to absorb calcium. Vitamin D, however, helps you to absorb calcium in your body.

Symptoms of Hypocalcemia: The most common sign of hypocalcemia is what is called "neuromuscular irritability.