Symptoms of hypocalcaemia and hypercalcaemia

Calcium is essential for all cells in the body. In particular, calcium plays a key role in the normal functioning of our bones, muscles and nerves. Too little, or too much calcium can cause some specific symptoms in these areas. If an individual’s calcium levels are below the normal range, they are referred to as being ‘hypocalcaemic’. When calcium levels are too high, they are referred to as being ‘hypercalcaemic’.

The parathyroid glands act as a sensor for our blood calcium levels. When calcium is too low, it releases parathyroid hormone, which causes calcium levels to increase to normal through its action on the kidneys and bones, as well as actions which increase calcium absorption in the intestine. People with hypoparathyroidism produce little or no parathyroid hormone, and as a result cannot control their blood calcium levels around the normal range.

Having too high or too low calcium levels in the blood can cause a number of side effects. Sometimes these are mild enough to be managed at home, but in severe cases, medical attention may be needed. If untreated or poorly managed, severe or prolonged hypocalcaemia can lead to a number of issues, including neurological problems. Repeated episodes of hypercalcaemia and increased disease duration are associated with increased risk of renal disease.

It is helpful to be aware of the signs and symptoms of both hypocalcaemia and hypercalcaemia, and be able to understand your symptoms better when discussing with your physician, so they can manage your care to avoid crashes or peaks in calcium levels.

The normal concentration of calcium in the blood is between 2.10 and 2.60 mmol/l. This is expressed in millimoles per litre (mmol/l), which is the standard way of measuring the amount of calcium in a litre of blood.