Hypophosphatemia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

We will discuss in this blog the disease caused due to low phosphate levels (Hypophosphatemia)

Hypophosphatemia is a short-term chronic condition that results from a lower-than-normal phosphate level in your blood, mild hypophosphatemia usually does not have any symptoms but a severe and chronic condition may lead to coma and even death, So let's discuss Hypophosphatemia in detail.

What is Hypophosphatemia?

Hypophostemia is a chronic condition in which there is an abnormally low level of phosphate in the blood. Phosphate is an electrolyte that helps maintain the body's fluid osmolarity and helps in cell signalling required for the normal functioning of a body.

Symptoms of Hypophosphatemia

Hypophosphatemia usually does not have any symptoms Mild condition may show some symptoms but acute(sudden) and chronic(long-term) conditions can lead to severe medical conditions

Symptoms of Hypophosphatemia

Symptoms of severe hypophosphatemia are

Muscle pain and bone pain.
Severe muscle weakness.
Confusion or irritability(Altered mental status).
Respiratory or heart failure.
Numbness in hand. Feet or weak reflexes.
Seizures.

Severe Hypophosphatemia can even result in coma and death if left untreated, So get treated from the best diagnostic centre near you.

Symptoms of Chronic Hypophosphatemia

Symptoms of mild chronic Hypophosphetemia include

Weakness
Loss of appetite
Bone pain
Weakening of bones(Increases the risk of fractures)

Children with this chronic condition have an increased chance of rickets including:

Short stature
Bowing of leg bones
Widening of wrists and ankles due to bone deformity

Causes of Hypophosphetemia

Hypophosphatemia has several causes based on whether the condition is mild, acute(short-term) or chronic(Long-term)

Here are some of the medical conditions that may give rise to Hypophosphatemia these are:

diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA).
Alcohol use disorder and alcohol withdrawal.
Severe burns.
Refeeding syndrome (potentially fatal shifts in fluids and electrolytes occurs when you receive food after prolonged starvation).
Severe respiratory alkalosis (when your blood doesn’t have enough carbon dioxide).

Causes of Chronic Hypophosphatemia

Increased parathyroid hormone levels, as in hyperparathyroidism.
Cushing’s syndrome(due to excessive cortisol production)
Vitamin D deficiency.
Malnutrition due to less rich phosphate diet and malabsorption (due to intestinal issues).
Electrolyte imbalances, like hypomagnesemia(Low magnesium) and hypokalemia(Low potassium).
Receiving iron infusions, especially ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), for treating iron-deficiency anaemia.

Some medications can cause Hypophosphatemia these are

Long-term use of diuretics.
excessive use of phosphate-binding antacids, including aluminium-calcium- and magnesium-containing antacids.
Excess Theophylline (a bronchodilator medication) intoxication.

Diagnosis and Testing

Hypophosphatemia is first diagnosed by observing the early symptoms based on which the blood tests are suggested and once the condition is confirmed the appropriate measures are taken to treat the condition.

While diagnosing if the phosphate level below 2.5milligram per decilitre is observed it confirms the condition

Here are some of the following parameters based on which the diagnosis is done these are:

Medical examination.
Medical history of a patient.
Lab testing of phosphate level.
Family medical history.
History of Acute and chronic medical conditions associated with it.

A blood sample test can also be done to check the level of low phosphate in the blood the procedure for the blood sample collection includes

Preparation

The blood testing for Hypophosphatemia doesn't require any additional preparation but under some conditions, you have to follow some instructions given by the doctor

Inform your doctor if you are on medication or a health supplement as it may interfere with the result.
Wear loose-fitting clothes to allow easy access for your arm for blood sample collection.
This test may require fasting Depending upon the doctor's suggestion.

Procedure

Firstly, a phlebotomist may tie a band around your upper arm to ensure the vein is visible.
They will clean the site using a disinfectant to minimise the risk of catching infection.
A sterile syringe will be inserted into the vein to draw the appropriate amount of blood for the testing
After blood sample collection, they will withdraw the needle and seal the site using an adhesive tape or cotton ball.
The blood sample collected is then tested for phosphate level and a report is prepared accordingly.

As hypophosphatemia often results from other health conditions additional blood tests include:

Management and Treatment

How is hypophosphatemia treated?

Hypophosphatemia can be treated by first looking for the exact cause of the low level of phosphate in the blood it can be due to a bad lifestyle and improper diet. There are some medications available that help elevate the phosphate level to its normal level

Medications like oral phosphate replacement medication are used to treat mild to moderate cases of Hypophosphatemia,

In severe conditions, the phosphate can be given through (IV)intravenous injection (injects phosphate directly into the blood through the vein)

Prevention of Hypophosphatemia

Not all conditions of Hypophosphatemia are preventable like acute and chronic cases, but certain lifestyle and diet modifications can help elevate the level of phosphate in the blood and prevent the severe condition as well as other medical conditions that arise due to low phosphate levels in blood

Here are some of the lifestyle modifications that can elevate the phosphate level naturally these are

(Regular exercise): Do regular exercise as it helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance, improves metabolism and kidney functioning and improves phosphate levels. Regularly do exercises like brisk walking, aerobic exercise or swimming which help keep your kidney and heart healthy and improve overall health.
(Weight Management): Keep yourself active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle, eat a phosphate-rich diet that increases phosphate levels in the blood and has a positive effect on your heart health, so include such foods in your diet that help in normalizing phosphate levels and help maintain body weight.
Consume calcium and phosphate-rich diet: If you have hypophosphatemia Consume a diet that has a high content of calcium and phosphate this includes meat products like- egg, chicken, seafood, nuts, soda, beans, lentils, and some whole grains like wheat, oats, rice etc.

Your health experts suggest you the dietitian that suggests you the best diet that helps you to increase the phosphate level in your body to improve the overall health and well-being.

Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption: Avoid bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and consuming tobacco as it may lead to low phosphate levels and may increase the chances of respiratory acidosis.

Choose the top Diagnostic centre in Delhi

Ganesh Diagnostic is one of the most reputed and reputed diagnostic centres located in Delhi which provides a 24*7*365-day facility, all the test results here are 100% accurate so that patients get the best and right treatment to recover easily. Avail of the online appointment opportunity now.

We also provide free blood sample collection and cholesterol tests at home. Get tested at the best diagnostic centre with Ganesh Diagnostics.

A Note from Ganesh Diagnostics

Hypophosphatemia is a potentially dangerous condition that has severe effects on our bodies as a low level of phosphate in our body can increase the chances of chronic health conditions like diabetes, and respiratory alkalosis, to avoid this adopt a good healthy lifestyle that can naturally elevate your phosphate level and if you want to know your phosphate level gets tested and treated well from the top diagnostic centre near you.

FAQs

What can I expect during hypophosphatemia?

You can adopt a good and healthy lifestyle that naturally improves your phosphate level and in other conditions, you may take certain medications that elevate phosphate levels take suggestions from your doctor and get treated well

What are the effects of hypophosphatemia?

This condition can increase the risk of Diabetes, high blood pressure, ventricular hypertrophy as well and respiratory alkalosis if not diagnosed and treated early, Improving your lifestyle will help manage this condition.