calcium levels and symptoms?

[ACNSC]

What is the "normal" or average level for calcium? The last time mine was checked it was 5.5 and holding when I was released from the hospital. I had it drawn a few days ago, and should know the results tomorrow. I also have sporadic tingling (like your foot is about to fall asleep) in my forearms, hands, fingers and lower legs..with muscle twitches in my calves..looks really odd..like something is under the skin moving around. I had this before the TT, and taking the caltrate seems to help..but is it really my calcium? I also have the Trousseau's sign with my hands/fingers and feet/toes..starts with a tingling then to being a bit numb..then my fingers/toes spasm and I can't move or control them...without a blood pressure cuff on..but it could be from sitting cross legged and cutting off blood supply I guess.

[stella5349]

along with the TSH and Free T4 tests you had posted.

Just clarifying

[stella5349]

NO TOTAL TESTS>>>.

Only the Free Triiodothyronine or Free T3 or FT3.. The word free (not total) must be in there.

On calcium get these all

Serum Calcium
Ionized Calcium
Vit D
MAgnesium
Phosphate
and it wouldn't hur to run the PTH either.


If you're going to get the right tests to use with any doctor - THESE are the specifics you want to have done.

[ACNSC]

OK, the surgeon wants me to have ~another~ test, but my endo has already done this. I don't see why I should have to spend extra money on the same test, so I have to call my endo and ask if they can share results. Monday (the day after I got home), I went in to the endo for a check up and blood test, and walked out w/o paying or giving them their paper work, lol. Yep, I was still a bit high,hehe. I ~did~ warn them when they called that I was coming in my PJs, and was on percocet.

OK, the calcium test is from (CAION) ionized calcium. My next testing has checked: Ionized calcium, TSH, FT4, Total Triiodothyronine...is there any others that ~should~ be checked. I plan on asking for ~all~ my blood work records from 4 different doctors, to give myself an outline of where I was, where I am, and where I'd like to be.

[stella5349]

serum testing approx ranges above.

[stella5349]

8.9 to 10.2

5.5 needs to be addressed as an emergency issue.

[medicmommy]

Hiya!
The 5.5 could be your ionized calcium reading. -Like LazyMoose says, gets a copy of your labs and look at the range. Each lab can differ slightly. For standard calcium, the general range is 8.5-10.0 but the ionized calcium (the actual amount your body is using) is different. Just curious...have you ever had a parathyroid hormone level checked? (PTH) If your calcium is low, the the PTH should be high and vice versa as it is the calcium regulator in your system. Sometimes, when your thyroid is removed, the parathyroid glands get damaged or go into "shock" and it takes them awhile to "get back online". If your calcium levels are low and so is your p-thyroid hormone, you need to address it ASAP. I found calcium citrate more readily absorbable and I could take is with other meds and vitamins without it nullifying them.~MM

[LazyMoose]

Like I mentioned, find the range.

[ACNSC]

EEK! Wouldn't I be having seizures and such if I was dangerously low? Then again, I have been dealing with this for many years before seeking care. Only thing I remember is the hospital nurse told me that I could go home b/c my calcium was 5.5 and holding. I did get an IV of calcium before then.

[LazyMoose]

You really need to see the test report and compare your level with the range. If that test lab uses the same range as mine for calcium, then your very low, as in below the range -off the chart.