To increase calcium levels in the body, particularly when experiencing low ionized calcium, a healthcare provider may recommend specific treatments.
Methods to Increase Calcium Levels
According to Cleveland Clinic, if you have low ionized calcium, a provider may recommend one or more of the following treatments to help increase calcium levels in your body:
- Calcium Supplements: Taking oral calcium supplements is a common way to increase overall calcium intake. These supplements can come in various forms, such as calcium carbonate or calcium citrate.
- Vitamin D Supplements: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium absorption in the gut. Supplementing with Vitamin D can help your body absorb more calcium from the foods you eat and the supplements you take, thereby increasing available calcium levels.
- Calcium Gluconate Injection: For more immediate or severe cases of low calcium, an injection of calcium gluconate may be administered intravenously. This delivers calcium directly into the bloodstream, raising levels quickly.
- Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Replacement: The parathyroid hormone helps regulate calcium levels in the blood. If low calcium is due to an issue with the parathyroid gland not producing enough PTH, replacement therapy may be necessary to restore balance and increase calcium levels.
These interventions aim to correct hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) and ensure adequate calcium is available for essential bodily functions. The specific treatment approach will depend on the underlying cause and severity of the low calcium levels, as determined by a healthcare professional.
For more details on ionized calcium and its ranges, you can refer to sources like the Cleveland Clinic article on Ionized Calcium.
