Calcium Deficiency: Treatments

How is calcium deficiency treated? 

Prompt diagnosis and treatment of dietary calcium deficiency reduces the risk of developing serious complications, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and osteoporosis. Treatments involve replacing the body’s depleted calcium stores and may include:

• Adjusting or changing medications that are associated with calcium deficiencies, such as diuretics. You should not change or stop taking any medication without first consulting with your licensed health care provider.

• Consuming adequate or increased amounts of calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products; green, leafy vegetables; seafood; nuts; and dried beans

• Consuming calcium-enriched foods, such as orange juice and bread

• Engaging in a regular, but not extremely strenuous exercise program

• Taking calcium supplements as recommended by your licensed health care provider. Supplementation may include vitamin D and phosphorous.

Treatment of hypocalcemia, which is a low blood level of calcium, includes diagnosing and treating the underlying disease or cause and any associated complications. Treatment generally includes calcium supplementation. In severe cases, treatment may include hospitalization, close monitoring in an intensive care unit, and the administration of intravenous calcium.

What are the potential complications of calcium deficiency? 

Complications of calcium deficiency can be serious and even life threatening, particularly in some cases of hypocalcemia. You can treat calcium deficiency and minimize the risk of complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Potential complications of calcium deficiency include:

• Cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)

• Chronic bone and joint pain

• Depression

• Gynecological problems, such as infertility and irregular periods

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Kyphosis (abnormal curving of the spine and humpback) and loss of height

• Laryngospasm (spasm of the larynx)

• Osteomalacia (softening of the bones)

• Osteopenia (low bone mass)

• Osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of the bones) and fractures

• Rickets (low bone mass due to vitamin D deficiency during childhood bone development)