Re: What are the (warning) signs of low calcium?

[Guest guest]

If your sister is taking 2500 mg 3 times daily, she is probably taking too much

calcium! My parathyroids were permanently damaged and I take .50 Rocaltrol +

1500 mg daily (500 mg three times daily). I'd suggest she speak with her doctor

asap. Low or high calcium can be a medical emergency...DO NOT WAIT!

When our parathyroids are damaged or lose the ability to produce PTH, our bodies

lose the ability to utilize the calcium we intake, no matter what the dosage.

Rocaltrol (calcitriol) allows our bodies to absorb the calcium in spite of PTH

loss. I understand Rocaltrol is a metabolite of Vitamin D.

High calcium levels often produce nausea, vomiting, excessive urination, and a

metallic taste in the mouth. Low calcium levels can produce tingling in the

fingers, toes, and lip area and muscle stiffness. Both can produce danerous or

fatal heart arrythmyias! Do not allow the symptoms to get any worse. Have your

sister see a physician immediately.

Good luck and let us know how she is doing!

Christy, 42, Las Vegas

2.5 cm Follicular and .9 cm Papillary

2/26/01 LL (Frozen Section thought to be benign)

3/10/01 TT after a positive final pathology

Hypoparathyroidism (.5 Rocaltrol/1500 mg calcium), PTH 0

3/28/01 148 mCi RAI (w/o LID), .250 Synthroid, 0 Tg

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[Guest guest]

hi,

i have become hypocalcimic after my sugery. my

parathyroids were damaged and no longer function. i

was hoping that after 5 years they would , but the

doctor said they probably never will.

some people have them start functioning after a while,

so there is hope.

i would have your sister talk with her doctor about

being on so much calcium.that is not good for her at

all. my first doctor had me on 12000 mg daily and it

has done alot of damage to my body in a short amount

of time. now i take 4000mg daily and 4- .5mcg

rocaltrol daily.

for me being low is really hard to tell because i

always tingle. but i know i am extremly low when my

hand cramp up into a ball and don't want to uncramp.

michelle in wisconsin

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi gdls99,

Your sister is on way too many calcium supplements. The body can only absorb 500

mg at one time. More than this just passes through the kidneys, doing damage

over time. _NOTE_ Before she makes any adjustments on her own, she should

consult her physician and have necessary bloodwork to see what her calcium level

is. Her doctor may want to place her on a vitamin D analog and reduce the amount

of calcium pills she takes.

In my case, my parathyroids didn't recover. I have significant nephrocalcinosis

from too many calcium pills in the beginning.

However, I nursed my daughter along with having hypoparathyroidism. She suffered

no ill effects that we know of and she is now age 30 and has given me two

beautiful grandchildren. As for your sister nursing her infant; definitely a

discussion for her endo and gynecologist.

PLease visit our website at http://www.hypoparathyroidism.org You will find

many good articles to help in the care of your sister.

Signs of low calcium are numbness & tingling in the face, hands, feet, and/or

muscle irritability. If not corrected (under the direction of a doctor) it will

progress up the extremities until they feel like they are literally " buzzing. "

She needs a blood test to determine the calcium level. If the doctor is not in,

a visit to the Ed will be in order. Persistant hypocalcemia can cause

irritability, paranoia, depression and frank psychosis. None of this is fun. I

know of persons who had reversal of parathyroid function after many years so,

all the best to your sister. God bless you for wanting to help her.

in OH

1965 TT for P/F thyca w/ lymph node mets,

hypoparathyroidism

1982 RAI 176 mCi for recurrence in neck & R chest

hx kidney stones

9/10/01 clean scan PTL!

[Guest guest]

Thanks all for your replies (posts and emails).

My sister is scheduled to meet with the doctor on Tuesday, and she'll

find out if she needs RAI or not. The calcium is a high dose, but

she is taking the vitamin D. And the levels are still being

tested. . . .

Damon in Michigan.