Hypophosphatemia

Hypophosphatemia – General Information

Hypophosphatemia – Symptoms

Hypophosphatemia – Treatment

As the average symptoms and / or signs of this medical condition (Hypophosphatemia) are quite vague (they are also associated with other medical conditions), the best method to diagnose this particular disorder is to undergo a blood test. Most patients admit that they have discovered that they are suffering from this disorder from undergoing a routine medical check up that included a blood analysis. The blood test that checks the level of phosphorus is easily done and it has a great effectiveness. However, this clinical exam is unable to reveal the amount of this element that is stored in your organism or the quantity of your body’s phosphorus reserves. This is why, other medical tests are needed in order to find out the underlying medical condition that has lead to the appearance of Hypophosphatemia. For example, patients who presented abnormally low levels of blood phosphorus also had sufficient amounts of this chemical stored in their organism supplies / reserves. This meant that their organism was unable to use the stored phosphorus. Patients who present this clinical condition also have to undergo an X-ray in order to check their bones – the physician will want to see if they appear weak or thin. Further urine and blood tests also have to be undergone, as they are important in the diagnosis of the medical disorder that has caused the lack of phosphorus. If the patient presents a mild form of Hypophosphatemia, he or she will probably have to start taking oral supplements of phosphorus. However, this therapy option ought to be avoided in the case of individuals who present kidney failure, hypercalcemia and / or hypoparathyroidism. Patients who have tissue damage do not respond appropriately to the intake of phosphorus supplements and should be prescribed one of the alternative therapy options.

The severe forms of Hypophosphatemia generally require undergoing an immediate therapy. Although the intake of oral phosphorus supplements is a viable option in this condition too, the administration of IV phosphorus proves to be much more effective. Your physician will determine the dose of IV phosphorus that you will be injected on a regular basis. Patients who receive intravenous injections with this element ought to perform regular blood tests in order to see if the therapy affects the individual’s calcium levels (in order to prevent the individual from developing a condition called hypocalcemia). In some clinical cases, physicians have established that the presence of this disorder was determined by a magnesium deficiency. This is why some patients who present this medical condition will feel better if they follow a therapy with magnesium oral supplements. However, all individuals must be aware that all the therapy options that we have listed above can keep their blood phosphorus levels under control only temporarily. In order to complete the therapy for Hypophosphatemia, a treatment for the underlying clinical disorder that has caused the former disease is required.