Hi- If indeed your sister has an ACUTE situation and the doctor has used the word "urgent" to her, then she should be monitored and treated initially in hospital!
They would normally promptly correct severe/acute hypocalcemia with parenteral/intravenous (not by pill) administration of calcium salts.
I'm only talking about replenishing her calcium in hospital because you used the words urgent and acute.
WHERE IS HER DOCTOR IN ALL THIS?
Acute calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia), is usually the result of a metabolic problem (i.e. possibly thyroid disease)rather than a dietary deficiency, and causes numbness, tingling, and painful muscle aches and spasms.
After correction of serum calcium, they should initiate a workup to diagnose the CAUSE of her hypocalcemia, if they haven't figured out what it is yet.
Prognosis (outcome) usually is favorable and depends on the cause and duration of hypocalcemia.
Once her hypocalcemia is stabalized, then she can start taking oral supplements.
A diet high in saturated fats, and excessive animal protein, salt and sugar, caffeine, colas, is the primary cause of calcium deficiency.
Those at risk of calcium deficiency include the elderly, people who don’t eat dairy products, those on high protein or high fiber diets and those who drink a lot of alcohol. People on weight reducing diets are also at risk as calcium containing foods are often high in calories. Athletes and premenopausal women whose menstrual periods have stopped may also be at increased risk of deficiency.
Recommended intakes of calcium vary, but the common agreement among professionals seems to be between 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams daily.
But if her doctor has found an urgent/acute problem then it would be important to discuss pill supplements with the doc before your sister takes anything on her own.
When taking any calcium supplements in pill form it is very important that it comes in a combo with magnesium and Vitamin D The latter 2 , particularly magnesium,are essential to the correct absorption of calcium.
She should not take calcium supplements if she has impaired kidney function or if she suffers from constipation without a full discussion with her doctor.
Not knowing your sister's background or med history, I'm just flying by the seat of my pants here....I'm not a doctor but I hope the little I know helps in some small way.
I'm still curious as to what the doctors are telling you at this point?
Surely they didn't simply give this diagnosis and send her home to figure it out on her own???$#@!!!!!
zuzu xxxx
CALCIUM DEFICIENCY
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