7 Calcium Deficiency Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

Updated on January 21, 2022

Globally, more than 3.5 billion people are at risk of calcium deficiency.

Calcium is one of the most important body nutrients. It supports the skeletal structure and adds about 33% of the total body mass. Its deficiency causes a life-threatening condition known as hypocalcemia and might bring other fatal effects too.

It is advisable to seek medical help whenever you experience calcium deficiency symptoms to avoid health complications. While the early signs might be mild and easy to ignore, they might worsen with time, and that’s why prompt health care is necessary.

Here are the main seven calcium deficiency symptoms to look out for.

1. Fatigue

As mentioned above, your body needs calcium to aid in forming strong bones and skeletal structure. If the levels of this nutrient in the body drop, fatigue comes in.

Too much fatigue can bring in secondary symptoms, including sleeplessness/insomnia, dizziness, lightheadedness, and a general feeling of less energy in the body.

At times, fatigue caused by calcium deficiency may bring confusion or forgetfulness. It can even cause depression if untreated or when the victim does not have a strong support system to share their worries.

If you often feel unexplained fatigue and don’t have an underlying health issue, you should have your calcium levels checked.

2. Dry Nails and Hair

Your nails indicate your overall body health. 

Weak nails signify that your body lacks vital body nutrients, while dry and brittle nails show that your body does not have enough calcium.

The nail dryness symptoms vary from one person to another. Some people experience visible cracks on the nails, while others experience a general slow growth of their nails.

Calcium is responsible for the formation of stronger nails. If your nails show any of the mentioned signs, then it’s apparent that you suffer from calcium deficiency.

Similarly, you need more calcium if your hair has become weak or it breaks more often. You can get this nutrient from cheese, milk products, vegetables, soy, liver, and nuts. 

Alternatively, you may consider buying supplements. As seen on this homepage, there are many nutrients supplements available, so you only need to choose the best for you.

If calcium deficiency symptoms do not disappear even after taking the supplements, you should consult your doctor to confirm if you have an underlying health condition.

3. Dental Problems

Teeth are made of crystalline calcium phosphate. The material protects the nerves, tissues, and other internal parts of the teeth. 

When your body’s calcium level goes down, the crystalline calcium phosphate becomes weak and exposes the teeth’ internal parts to dental infections.

The body also starts to draw calcium from the teeth to supply to the other parts of your body. With time, the teeth start to crack, chip, or to form cavities. 

If unchecked, the dental issue might graduate to osteoporosis, a severe medical problem that makes the bones porous and prone to breakage.

But, not all dental problems signify calcium deficiency. You can still have weak teeth if you don’t observe the right dental hygiene. The best solution is to have a medical checkup to know if you need calcium supplements or not.

4. Skin Symptoms

People whose calcium levels are low often experience skin problems. However, some victims never know the exact cause of their skin issues because skin issues can happen due to various reasons.

Generally, hypocalcemia makes the skin dry and itchy. The dryness may happen to a specific part of the body, while some people may experience skin issues in all parts of the body. Other symptoms of calcium deficiency on the skin include redness, skin soreness, and blisters.

Some people may even develop eczema and psoriasis. If you have been experiencing skin issues for a while, the chances may be high that you have low calcium levels. 

You should take foods rich in calcium, take calcium supplements, and go for a medical checkup if the calcium deficiency signs persist.

5. Frequent Illnesses

The body requires many nutrients to maintain healthy immunity, and calcium is one of them. 

According to health experts, calcium helps the body fight germs, bacteria, viruses, and other aliens. While this nutrient might not completely protect you from suffering all the illness, it makes your body stronger to reduce the disease’s effects.

If you lack enough calcium, your immunity will be lower, which means you may be prone to some illnesses. For instance, you may fall sick more often, get cold, experience more coughs and sneezes, or even diarrhea now and then.

So don’t ignore frequent illnesses. Visit your nearest clinic to get calcium supplements or get a medical checkup to determine the cause.

6. Weight Gain

Excessive weight gain is one of the warning signs of calcium deficiency. In line with multiple pieces of research, calcium is stored in the fat cells. 

Calcium’s primary aim in fat cells is to regulate the absorption of fat in the body.

The fat cells with more calcium burn more fat in the body than those without the calcium. When the level of calcium in the body goes down, it becomes hard for the cells to burn the excess fat, and that’s how you gain weight.

If you have been adding excess weight for some time, take calcium-rich foods to regain your body.

7. Weak Muscles or Muscle Cramps

Calcium deficiency can affect the strength of your muscles. The muscles most affected are the thigh muscles, underarm muscles, and arm muscles. Sometimes, the weakness may be accompanied by cramps.

Left unattended, the muscle cramps may cause muscle tingling and numbness, resulting in tremors in your feet and hands. The problems may affect the esophagus muscles, too, making it hard for you to swallow hard foods.

Don’t Ignore Calcium Deficiency Symptoms

Do you have any of the above-discussed calcium deficiency symptoms? If yes, then you should take action now. Start taking foods rich in calcium to make your bones, muscles, and immunity stronger again. 

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