Low calcium level does this answer for odd symptoms

[Cangol]

Calcium deficiency -my bloods showed level of 2.19 (I believe the normal range is 2.2 - 2.6) so only very slightly low. I am 35 and 7 weeks pregnant with my third. I have been experiencing pins and needles and numbness amongst other strange symptoms for over 3 weeks now and am concerned as to what is causing this.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have thyroid problem...on levothyroxine?

When was vitamin D last tested

Low vitamin D tends to result in low calcium

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If/when also on T3 or NDT make sure to take last half or third of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

[Cangol in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for the information Slow Dragon, I believe my thyroid results were normal. I made the mistake of consulting Dr Google which really made me concerned about other causes such as MS. I’m not 100% convinced it is purely low calcium but will see what the Vit D results show.

[AS14]

Hi Cangol

I have low calcium, pins and needles are some of classic symptoms of it. When my calcium gets low my first sign is pins and needles in my lips then it spreads to the rest of my face.

I lost my parathyroid glands during a total thyroidectomy and have been left with hypoparathyroidism, and on medication for it.

Im sure there could be many reasons for low calcium, maybe pregnancy is the reason I dont know.

If my calcium was at 2.19 I would of symptoms, a fraction under range is enough for me to have them.

My circumstances could be totally different to yours but you do need to get it checked out.

[Cangol in reply to AS14]

Hi AS14, thank you for your reply. I hope your medication is helping you to manage your symptoms. It is interesting to know that even a small drop can cause symptoms. I’m thinking that perhaps my levels were slightly lower but picked up since taking pregnancy vitamins (including Vit D) for a few weeks.

The pins and needles started on my right -firstly in my toes, then over a few days spread to my foot, then both feet, calves, hands, wrists and face. Also experienced calf twitches/spasms. Hoping the cause is the low calcium and nothing serious underlying which is being missed. I have been breastfeeding pretty much constantly for 4 years and now being pregnant think my reserves are probably rather depleted. I am due another blood test to check my Vit D levels. Have been taking pregnancy vitamins and trying to include more calcium rich foods in my diet in the mean time.

[AS14 in reply to Cangol]

Hi

Yes pins and needles and muscles twitches and spasms can be low calcium, they feel quite odd and worrying at first. My tell tale sign of calcium dropping is the pins and needles starting in my face. They tend to start in your face, hands and feet first and then muscle cramps, I feel those mostly in my calves and upper arms. A quick search on the internet can find a list of symptoms.

Calcium isnt just for bones it plays a big part in nerve and muscle function and when it gets to low its why you get pins and needles and muscle cramps.

It only takes a small drop in levels to bring on symptoms and the first are what you describe, and at that point you should get a hefty dose of calcium into you, a big glass of milk should do it. I have to have fast acting meds in that position but some extra calcium should do the trick for you.

I try and see the pins and needles as reminder to keep things in check, not easy at first can it can feel odd .

Im sure you’ll be fine but make sure you get that blood test and speak to your doctor. Low calcium can be managed and Im sure its temporary with you but all the same dont ignore it, it needs sorting.

Also make sure your vit D level is really good, you need good levels of vit D to have good calcium. If memory serves me right gp’s say vit D of 50 is fine, I dont think it is, most people need it considerably higher. Make sure its tested along with your calcium.

[Cangol in reply to AS14]

Thank you so much for all of your advice and the quick replies. I’m sure you can relate to symptoms being unnerving and feeling ‘out of control’ of your body. I have been experiencing strange heart rates and ectopic beats also since having my last baby so wondering if these things are all related. Anyway, hopefully the Vit D test will help to shed a bit more light. Best wishes.

[AS14 in reply to Cangol]

Hi

Feeling out of control is a good description, its pretty much the way I described it when it first happened. The first time it happened to me was a couple of days after my TT when calcium had dropped extremely low, very frightening experience, it was way past the pins and needle stage.

Its easy to understand why your calcium has become low, pregnancy and breast feeding really takes it out of you.

I also had extremely low vit D at the same time, it was barely above zero. That has its own set of symptoms but the biggest change I found when it was corrected was my level of pain, Id been having awful leg pain which disappeared when it was corrected. It would be a good idea to get the rest of your nutrients checked, iron, b vits etc. Low nutrients can cause some unpleasant symptoms, and best get them checked to be on the safe side with the baby.

I dont know if youve seen your midwife yet, its a long time since I was pregnant so cant remember , but as soon as you can Id get her involved too.

I know its scary, it does give you some really weird symptoms but now you know and its more than likely temporary . A good diet with plenty of calcium, regular blood tests and monitoring symptoms and Im sure you and your baby will be fine.

Take care

[Cangol in reply to AS14]

Thank you. I’m pleased you managed to resolve your leg pain through Vit D management, that must have been a relief.

My booking in appointment is next week and I am definitely going to bring this all up with the midwife as am concerned as to whether or not this could affect my baby. In the meantime will keep taking my vitamins and eating more calcium. The GP did run a blood bone profile and from memory advised Iron, B12 etc... was normal just the calcium that came back as slightly low.

[AS14 in reply to Cangol]

Hi

Good sounds like youve got it all in hand.

Take care

[humanbean]

I think you should speak to a doctor or a midwife urgently, if you haven't done so already. I would think that low levels of any nutrients are bad news for a pregnant woman and her offspring.

[Cangol in reply to humanbean]

I am concerned this could affect my baby as is clearly affecting me. My GP is aware I am pregnant, her response to my initial low blood calcium result was that she wants to also check my Viatmin D levels before prescribing any additional supplements to the Pregnacare vitamins I am already taking. I have also spoken with a couple of midwives via a pregnancy advice line who were not particularly helpful and either didn’t know the answer or didn’t want to get involved basically advising me this was not a midwifery issue and is something that would need to be handled by my GP!? I will however be flagging this up as a concern of mine during my first face to face midwife appointment next week.

[humanbean in reply to Cangol]

Optimising your vitamin D level will increase your body's absorption of calcium from your diet. If you look online for "high calcium foods" and try to incorporate them into your diet it should help.

I'm assuming you are hypothyroid, since you are posting on a thyroid forum. Hypothyroidism results in most sufferers having low stomach acid and this is why so many sufferers end up nutrient deficient.

Have you had your vitamin D level checked yet and do you know the result? If you know the result and you tell us we can tell you what supplements you need to optimise it, assuming it is low.

There are also co-factors required when taking vitamin D which help any additional calcium from the diet to go into the bones and teeth - vitamin K2 and magnesium.

I would suggest that you ask for access to your medical records (including historical records) and all blood test results, and start keeping your own copies. Nutrients being low is a very common problem and it can be fixed without involving a doctor, as long as you know what levels you are aiming for, and what dose you need to get to optimal.

[Cangol]

Thank you for the information. I have not been diagnosed with any thyroid issues as of yet. However stumbled across this site when reading in to calcium deficiency. I am due to be tested for Vit D next week.