low level phosphate

[Fian]

Hi, I was discharged from hospital yesterday after being admitted with an asthma attack and chest infection.

After blood tests, it was discovered that my phosphate level was 0.022 which apparently was life threatening.

After returning home, and a bit of research over what could cause that, I discovered that Theophylline can cause it, I have been on Uniphyllin for three years.

Has anyone else had this issue, and how do I stop it reoccurring.

[peege]

hi Fian, have you spoken to your prescprescriber? If not perhaps a chat with him/her and a chat with the pharmacist to discuss effects of theophylline. I believe asparagus, beets, broccoli, celery, mushrooms, onions, peppers, radishes and tomatoes are high in phosphate but really you must speak to a professional about it to be safe. All the best, P

[Fian in reply to peege]

Hi Peege,

Thank you for the advice.

I am at the respiratory clinic at the beginning of April, and they are the ones who prescribed the Uniphyllin, so I will ask them.

Thanks also for the advice on foods high in phosphate, I will try and include more of these in my diet and hopefully that will help.

[Poobah]

You don't say what treatment you received in hospital for the low phosphate levels. From what I've read, an intravenous infusion would have been given and levels would be monitored thereafter. I'm assuming your GP will be advised as to their role in the ongoing treatment and monitoring so you should discuss the issue with them - best to be proactive (in my experience things get overlooked at a busy surgery). VitD levels can be important, so this should be checked out too by your GP and treatment given as necessary as VitD levels can affect your phosphate levels.

[Fian in reply to Poobah]

Hi Poobah,

I did receive an intravenous infusion after a while as the hospital I was at only kept it in ITU, and they had run out.

The next day I was discharged with steroids and various antibiotics, but nobody mentioned the phosphate.

I am at the respiratory clinic in April so I will speak to them as they were the prescriber.

Hopefully the hospital will send a letter to my GP about this and they might start doing more regular blood tests, I have been on Uniphyllin for three years and have only had one lot of tests, and that was four months ago.

When I was prescribed it, I was told that I would need a test every six months to monitor the Theophylline level in my blood, but then Covid hit and I think they forgot about me.

Thank you for your advice and I will also ask about VitD.

[Cavmad]

Hi there do you mean potassium?

[Persevere99]

Hi Fian

Have you managed to raise your phosphate levels please?

If so, how did you do it?

Just got Bluecrest results today which show 0.84 (0.87 - 1.45)

I will try magnesium phosphate tomorrow as each capsule has 100 mg magnesium and 700 mgs phosphate

All the best

Persevere