Interní Med. 2009; 11(11): 507-510

Diferencial diagnosis of hypocalcemia

prof.MUDr.Petr Broulík, DrSc.

III. interní klinika 1. LF UK a VFN Praha

Ionized calcium plays a pivotal role in many physiological and biochemical procesesses including the contraction of muscles, the clotting

of blood and impulse conduction in the heart and nervous system. Moreover it acts as secondary messenger within the cell to initiate

other cascades important for cell signaling and both exocrine and endocrine secretion. In blood calcium is found in three forms ionized

(50 %) protein bound (40 %) and soluble complexes (10 %). In normal individuals the range of serum calcium is 2,2–2,55 mmol/l. Hypocalcemia

is characterized by decreased level of ionized calcium under the normal level which is usually 1,25 mmol/l. The most common

symptoms relate to neuromuscular excitability. The following section groups the causes of hypocalcemia by main mechanism-lack of

PTH effect, lack of vitamin D effect and binding or redistribution of calcium.

Keywords: hypocalcemie, parathormon, vitamin D, neuromuscular excitability

Published: May 1, 2010  Show citation