Hypophosphatemia

Hypophosphatemia happens when you have a low level of phosphate in your blood. Phosphate is an essential electrolyte you need for several bodily functions.

Causes of Hypophosphatemia #

Causes of chronic hypophosphatemia include:

• Increased parathyroid hormone levels, as in hyperparathyroidism.

• Other hormonal imbalances, such as in Cushing’s syndrome.

• Vitamin D deficiency.

• Electrolyte disorders, such as hypomagnesemia (low blood magnesium levels) and hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels).

• Long-term diuretic use.

• Theophylline (a bronchodilator medication) intoxication.

Symptoms of Hypophosphatemia #

Symptoms of severe hypophosphatemia include:

• Muscle pain and bone pain.

• Muscular weakness.

• An altered mental state, such as experiencing confusion or irritability.

• Numbness or reflexive weakness.

• Seizures.

Diagnosis of Hypophosphatemia #

• Healthcare providers use a blood test to diagnose hypophosphatemia.

• Other blood tests, such as a kidney function test, calcium blood test and vitamin D blood test.

• Urinalysis.

• Imaging scans.

Treatment of Hypophosphatemia #

• Treatment for hypophosphatemia involves treating the underlying cause and stabilizing blood phosphate levels.

• Healthcare providers most often use oral phosphate replacement medication (pills taken by mouth) to treat mild to moderate cases of hypophosphatemia.

• They may also recommend a diet high in phosphorus to correct your phosphate levels.

• If hypophosphatemia is severe, they provide phosphate replacement through an IV.