Hypocalcemia

Hypocalcemia — also known as low calcium levels or calcium deficiency disease — happens when you do not have enough calcium in your blood. Although there are many causes for hypocalcemia, it can happen when you have a genetic disorder or your kidneys aren’t working properly.

UPMC experts provide personalized, multidisciplinary care for people with hypocalcemia. Their goal is to find the cause, restore normal calcium levels, and reduce the risk of complications.

On this page

• What Is Hypocalcemia?
• What Are the Symptoms of Hypocalcemia?
• How Do You Diagnose Hypocalcemia?
• How Do You Treat Hypocalcemia?

What Is Hypocalcemia?

Hypocalcemia — also known as low calcium levels or calcium deficiency disease — happens when you do not have enough calcium in your blood. Although there are many causes for hypocalcemia, it can happen when you have a genetic disorder or your kidneys aren’t working properly.

What are the types of hypocalcemia? 

There are several types of hypocalcemia, including:

• Neonatal hypocalcemia — Occurring in babies, neonatal hypocalcemia can happen early, within the first few days of life, or later, in the weeks after birth. Early hypocalcemia may go away on its own, but late hypocalcemia may require ongoing treatment.
• Primary hypocalcemia — Occurs when total blood calcium levels are low.
• Secondary hypocalcemia — Occurs when low blood magnesium levels cause low calcium levels and is often related to a genetic disorder.

What causes hypocalcemia?

Finding the cause of your hypocalcemia will help your medical team to deliver effective treatment.

Many factors can cause or contribute to hypocalcemia, including:

• Aging-related changes to your body.
• Genetic disorders.
• Health conditions, such as pancreatitis or septic shock.
• Kidney disorders.
• Medications that affect your body’s ability to absorb calcium.
• Not getting enough calcium or Vitamin D in your diet.
• Parathyroid disorders that affect hormone levels, such as hypoparathyroidism.

What are hypocalcemia risk factors and complications?

Hypocalcemia risk factors

As you age, your body’s ability to absorb calcium decreases. As women get closer to menopause, they need more calcium than men.

In addition to aging, other conditions may increase your risk of hypocalcemia, including:

• Genetic disorders that affect your kidneys or levels of electrolytes (minerals) in your body.
• Having a parathyroid disorder that affects hormone production.
• Not getting enough calcium in your diet, especially in childhood or over a long period.
• Taking medications that affect your body’s ability to absorb calcium, such as some chemotherapy drugs and steroid medications.

Infants may be at higher risk of hypocalcemia if they have a low birth weight or are born to a mother who has diabetes. Cow’s milk or formula with high phosphate levels can also increase the risk of hypocalcemia in infants.

Complications of hypocalcemia

Calcium supports strong bones and teeth and helps your muscles work properly. Getting enough calcium is important, especially as you age.

What happens if calcium is low?

If left untreated, hypocalcemia can increase your risk of serious health problems, including:

• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia).
• Osteoporosis, which causes bones to weaken and increases your risk of fractures.
• Osteopenia, which causes lower-than-average bone density and can increase your risk of fractures, but isn’t as severe as osteoporosis.
• Seizures, confusion, and other neurological symptoms.

In infants and children, hypocalcemia can lead to:

• Fast heartbeat.
• Poor growth.
• Slowed breathing.

If left untreated for a long time, hypocalcemia could be fatal.

How can I prevent hypocalcemia? 

You can prevent hypocalcemia by getting enough calcium daily for your age. The National Institutes of Health’s Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for calcium by age include:

• 0-6 months — 200 mg.
• 7-12 months — 260 mg.
• 1-3 years — 700 mg.
• 4-8 years — 1,000 mg.
• 9-13 years — 1,300 mg.
• 14-18 years — 1,300 mg.
• 19-50 years — 1,000 mg.
• 51-70 years — men 1,000 mg, women 1,200 mg.
• >70+ years — 1,200 mg.

You should also get the recommended amount of vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium. If your calcium and vitamin D levels are low, your doctor may recommend a dietary supplement to help you meet your RDAs.

How common is hypocalcemia?

Hypocalcemia is a common condition, especially in premature babies, older people, and people who have had thyroid surgery.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Hypocalcemia?

Hypocalcemia may not initially cause any symptoms. However, symptoms may develop if your calcium levels are too low for too long.

Symptoms in adults may include:

• Confusion.
• Depression.
• Dry, scaly skin.
• Easy fracturing of your bones.
• Hallucinations.
• Irritability.
• Memory loss.
• Muscle cramps or spasms.
• Numbness or tingling in your face, hands, or feet.
• Restlessness.
• Slower hair growth.
• Weak or brittle fingernails and toenails.

Symptoms in infants may include:

• Fast heartbeat (tachycardia).
• Feeding problems.
• Jitteriness or restlessness.
• Seizures.
• Slowed breathing.

Does low calcium cause anxiety?

Low calcium has not been associated with anxiety, but it can cause restlessness, fast heartbeat, irritability, or jitteriness, which could be mistaken for anxiety or a panic attack.

When should I see a doctor about my hypocalcemia symptoms?

Most people do not experience symptoms of hypocalcemia unless their calcium levels are very low for a long time. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately.

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How Do You Diagnose Hypocalcemia?

Hypocalcemia is usually diagnosed with a blood test to check your calcium level.

What to expect during your visit

During your visit, your doctor will:

• Ask about any medications you’ve taken recently.
• Order blood tests.
• Perform a physical exam.
• Review your health history.

Tests to diagnose hypocalcemia

Your doctor will order a blood test to check your calcium level. Because other hormones, vitamins, and minerals can affect your calcium level, your doctor may also order other blood tests to check your levels of:

• Albumin — A protein that binds and transports calcium in your blood.
• Minerals such as magnesium, potassium, sodium, or phosphorus.
• Hormones produced by your parathyroid and adrenal glands.
• Vitamin D.

Hypocalcemia prognosis

With treatment and ongoing monitoring, most people can recover from or manage hypocalcemia.

How do you fix hypocalcemia?

If your hypocalcemia is mild or caused by a temporary health issue, you may only need treatment for a few days or weeks. If your hypocalcemia is severe and due to a chronic condition, such as kidney disease or long-term medication use, you may need ongoing treatment.

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How Do You Treat Hypocalcemia?

The goal of hypocalcemia treatment is to find the cause of low calcium levels and return them to normal.

If your hypocalcemia is mild and isn’t causing symptoms, you may be able to treat it by adding more calcium to your diet or taking a calcium supplement.

Your doctor may recommend:

Lifestyle changes

Your doctor may recommend adjusting your diet to boost your calcium and Vitamin D intake. Salmon, tuna, eggs, beans, dark green vegetables, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products are good sources of these nutrients.

Your doctor may also recommend other lifestyle changes, such as regular exposure to sunlight to increase Vitamin D production, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, avoiding smoking and tobacco use, and limiting alcohol intake.

Medicine to treat hypocalcemia

Your doctor may suggest medications, including:

• Intravenous medications — Severe hypocalcemia may be treated with an IV infusion of calcium gluconate.
• Medication adjustments — If your medication is causing low calcium levels, your doctor may switch your medication or adjust your dose.
• Supplements — Multivitamins, Vitamin D supplements, or calcium supplements can restore normal calcium levels.
• Synthetic hormones — If problems with your parathyroid cause your hypocalcemia, synthetic hormones may help.

Why choose UPMC for hypocalcemia care?

When you choose UPMC for hypocalcemia care, you will receive:

• Access to world-class nephrology expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of kidney and related diseases using the latest techniques for diagnosis and treatment.
• Advanced diagnostic care — We’ll find the cause of your illness and work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
• A full range of treatment options — We offer comprehensive care tailored to your individual needs.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24.