Calcium

Calcium

Calcium ion levels in the blood are of fundamental importance to all biological systems. They are involved in e.g. maintenance of action potentials, muscle contraction, cell division, modulation of enzyme activities, secretion etc. Replacement with calcium supplements is the usual treatment of hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia.

In addition, in hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D suppletion is necessary. Uptake of calcium supplements via the intestine results in increased calcium plasma levels. Calcium citrate or calcium gluconate are usually orally administered or parenterally. The oral dose is about 1g per day.

1

I. High doses of calcium can cause kidney stones.

II. Oral calcium and vitamin D supplements do NOT reverse the low calcium reabsorption in the kidney, which is typical of hypoparathyroidism.