What does a calcium level of 8.3 mean?
Test results Generally speaking, a normal reference range for the blood total calcium test in adults is between 8.6 and 10.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). This range can vary from lab to lab.
What level of calcium is too low?
Sustained low calcium levels in your blood may confirm a diagnosis of calcium deficiency disease. Normal calcium levels for adults can range from 8.8 to 10.4 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), according to the Merck Manual. You may be at risk for calcium deficiency disease if your calcium level is below 8.8 mg/dL.
What are the effects of low calcium levels?
The calcium level in blood can be moderately low without causing any symptoms. If levels of calcium are low for long periods, people may develop dry scaly skin, brittle nails, and coarse hair. Muscle cramps involving the back and legs are common.
Why would your calcium be low?
The main cause of low blood calcium levels is having the parathyroid glands in your neck removed. This might be necessary for some types of cancer in the neck area. It can also happen if the parathyroid glands are damaged during thyroid gland surgery. Or during other types of surgery to the head and neck.
Should I go to the hospital for low calcium?
What should I do in an emergency? If you experience a crisis, and you are having acute and severe symptoms of low calcium (known as a hypo) that has not responded to extra calcium, you will need urgent treatment. Call an ambulance or go to A&E where you will have to give your history before having a blood test.
How do you fix low calcium levels?
Your doctor will prescribe calcium and vitamin D tablets for you if your blood calcium level is low. This usually keeps your blood calcium at a normal level. Eating foods with high levels of calcium will also help.
Is low calcium an emergency?
Severe hypocalcemia, defined by a serum calcium <1.9 mmol/L (7.6 mg/dL), is often considered an emergency because of a potential risk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias or seizures (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).
What is mild hypocalcemia?
Mild hypocalcemia may be asymptomatic or cause muscle cramps. Severe hypocalcemia (serum calcium < 7 mg/dL [< 1.75 mmol/L]) may cause hyperreflexia, tetany (paresthesias of the lips, tongue, fingers, and feet, carpopedal and/or facial spasms, muscle aches), or generalized seizures.
Can low calcium cause anxiety?
Your vitamin D should also be tested as low levels can also lead to low calcium over time. Low calcium causes anxiety – it’s not you – BUT anxiety and over breathing can make calcium drop too so try to keep as calm as you can and not get into this loop. Distract yourself as best you can and breathe slowly.
What would cause calcium level to drop?
Lower amounts of vitamin D make your body’s calcium absorption levels drop. This usually happens if you are malnourished or do have enough sun exposure in your life. Kidney issues. Having any sort of renal failure or kidney disease constantly drains the levels of calcium in your blood.
How do hospitals treat low calcium?
In patients with acute symptomatic hypocalcemia, intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate is the preferred therapy, whereas chronic hypocalcemia is treated with oral calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Is low calcium life threatening?
A long-term calcium deficiency can lead to dental changes, cataracts, alterations in the brain, and osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become brittle. A calcium deficiency may cause no early symptoms. It is usually mild, but without treatment, it can become life threatening.
What is the normal value of calcium?
In our bodies, calcium is a mineral that makes up our bones, as well as a salt that dissolves in our blood and regulates bodily function. At UCLA, the normal range for blood calcium level is 8.6 to 10.3 mg/dL. In order to maintain a normal calcium level, the body uses hormones to regulate blood calcium levels.
What is the normal range of calcium?
The blood draw should take less than five minutes. You may feel a slight pinch when the needle enters your arm. Generally speaking, a normal reference range for the blood total calcium test in adults is between 8.6 and 10.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). This range can vary from lab to lab.
What causes elevated calcium levels?
Overactive Parathyroid Glands (Hyperparathyroidism) Overactive parathyroid glands are the most common cause of hypercalcemia.
What causes low Ca levels?
Certain medications that prevent proper calcium absorption,like proton pump inhibitors,chemotherapy,or anti-seizure drugs (talk to your doctor to learn more)