Causes

• According to Lorraine A. Fitzpatrick, M.D., Professor of Medicine Mayo Medical School, Rochester, Minnesota, successfully treating hypocalcemia depends on finding the underlying cause of the condition. One cause of hypocalcemia is abnormal levels of magnesium or phoshporus in the blood. Having too much phosphorus in the blood can limit the absorption of calcium from the intestine, leading to hypocalcemia. Medications and toxins can also lead to hypocalcemia. Some of the medications that can contribute to this condition include mithramycin, bisphosphonates, calcitonin and oral phosphate preparations. Cleaning agents that contain fluoride can also cause hypocalcemia if they are ingested.
  
  There are also a number of medical conditions that can lead to the development of acute or chronic hypocalcemia. These conditions include pancreatitis, thyroid disorders, vitamin D disorders, nutritional vitamin D deficiency and developmental parathyroid gland disorders. According to Dr. Fitzpatrick, patients who have had surgery on the thyroid gland can also experience hypocalcemia.
  
  

Acute Hypocalcemia

• While people with chronic hypocalcemia may not present with any symptoms, acute hypocalcemia can cause seizure or laryngeal spasm. Dr. Fitzpatrick discusses intravenous administration of calcium as a treatment for acute hypocalcemia. During this treatment, calcium gluconate is given by IV and calcium levels are monitored regularly. The goal of treatment is to bring calcium levels to low normal levels and then supplement orally with elemental calcium. This treatment needs to be carefully monitored in order to prevent cardiac arrythmias. Intravenous calcium can also lead to calcium deposits in the lungs and kidneys.
  
  

Chronic Hypocalcemia

• Patients with chronic hypocalcemia may have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. According to Dr. Fitzgerald, long-term hypocalcemia can be treated with vitamin D and calcium administered orally. The goal of this treatment is to get the serum calcium levels back to the low-normal range. Once this has been achieved, calcium levels should be tested again every three to six months.
  
  

Treatment Risks

• There are some risks to the treatments administered for hypocalcemia. In addition to calcium deposits in the organs, administration of calcium can lead to the formation of kidney stones. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse, patients may be asked to limit their intake of foods such as spinach, beets, soybeans, peanuts, chocolate and sweet potatoes, as they contain oxalate, which combines with calcium to form calcium oxalate kidney stones. If doctors fail to administer enough calcium, numbness and tingling can occur until the hypocalcemia has been regulated.