Word parts
What it means
Too little calciumKAL-see-umA mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.Full entry in the blood, a total level below about 9.0 mg/dL. Causes include low parathyroid hormone (for example after thyroid or parathyroid surgery), low vitamin D, kidney disease, low magnesium and pancreatitispan-kree-uh-TY-tisInflammation of the pancreas, which may come on suddenly (acute) or last for years (chronic).pancreat/o pancreas-itis inflammationFull entry . Because calcium steadies nerves and muscles, low levels make them overexcited: tingling around the mouth and in the fingers, muscle cramps and spasms (tetany), seizures and heart rhythm changes. Chvostek sign and Trousseau sign test for this.
For the nurse
Watch clients after neck surgery for tingling and twitching, check the heart monitor and keep seizure precautions if levels are very low. IV calcium is given slowly and the IV site watched closely.
At a glance
| Normal range | Total calcium 9.0–10.5 mg/dL [2.25–2.62 mmol/L] |
|---|---|
| Spanish | hipocalcemia |
| Also written | hypocalcaemia, hypocalcemic |
Easy to confuse with
hypercalcemia
A blood calcium level above normal.
Related terms
calcium
A mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.
magnesium
A mineral in the blood that the nerves, muscles and heart need, measured with a blood test.
paresthesia
An abnormal feeling in the skin, such as tingling, prickling or "pins and needles," with nothing touching it.
hypercalcemia
A blood calcium level above normal.
vitamin D
A fat-soluble vitamin that the skin makes in sunlight and that helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones.