What is the term for low calcium levels?

The term for low calcium levels is hypocalcemia. This condition occurs when serum calcium levels fall below the normal range, which can result from various factors such as inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption, excessive renal losses, or certain medical conditions affecting the parathyroid hormone.

Hypocalcemia can lead to a range of clinical symptoms, including muscle cramps, tingling sensations, and in severe cases, cardiac issues. Recognizing and diagnosing hypocalcemia is crucial because it can significantly impact a patient’s overall health and requires intervention to restore calcium levels to normal.

Other terms like hypercalcemia refer to high calcium levels, while calciopenia and calcium deficiency are less commonly used in clinical practice. It is important to accurately identify and understand hypocalcemia to ensure proper treatment and management of the condition.