Calcium is a mineral important not only in bone structure and function but also in maintaining healthy nerve and muscle cells. Because so many critical physiological processes depend on proper calcium levels in your body, maintaining calcium balance is crucial for optimal health. Calcium imbalance results when too much or too little calcium circulates in your bloodstream, impacting the amount of calcium available for your cells. If you suspect you have a calcium imbalance, consult with your health care provider prior to changing your diet or adding a calcium supplement to your routine.
Background
Calcium resides in most parts of your body: in your bones, within your cells, in your blood and in the fluid surrounding your cells. The majority of your calcium exists in your bones, which function both as a structural framework for your body and as a reserve source of calcium for your cells. To avoid a calcium imbalance, your body tightly regulates calcium blood levels through parathyroid hormone, vitamin D and, to a lesser extent, calcitonin. Parathyroid hormone and vitamin D both increase blood calcium levels as needed, while the hormone calcitonin decreases circulating calcium levels when they are too high.
Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia occurs when calcium levels in your blood are too low. This condition may happen when your levels of parathyroid hormone decrease or are absent, whether due to a congenital problem, neck surgery impacting the parathyroid gland or certain autoimmune disorders. Hypocalcemia may also result from a vitamin D or magnesium deficiency, from metastatic cancer or from certain drug interactions. Symptoms may include muscle spasms, muscle stiffness, numbness of your extremities or irritability. Success in reversing this type of calcium imbalance depends on the underlying cause, reports the Cleveland Clinic.
Hypercalcemia
Excessive calcium circulating in your bloodstream describes the condition of hypercalcemia. This type of calcium imbalance may result from excessive production of parathyroid hormone, often due to enlarged parathyroid glands. Other causes of hypercalcemia include high levels of dietary calcium or vitamin D, adrenal gland disorders or kidney failure. A variety of symptoms may indicate hypercalcemia, such as bone pain, muscle atrophy or weakness, kidney stones or constipation. As with hypocalcemia, treatment focuses on correcting the underlying cause of the calcium imbalance whenever possible.
Considerations
Many cases of calcium imbalance are easily treated and reversed as long as they are recognized in a timely manner. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, women age 50 and older should undergo regular blood calcium screening to ensure levels fall within the normal range. As with any vitamin or mineral supplement, consult with your health care provider for advice prior to adding them to your diet.
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