Low calcium levels, or hypocalcemia, can be caused by a variety of medical conditions and factors. Based on the recent web search results, the primary causes include deficiencies in certain nutrients, medical conditions, medications, and physiological disturbances.

Major Causes of Low Calcium

Nutritional Deficiencies

• Vitamin D deficiency: Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption in the intestines. A lack of vitamin D can significantly reduce calcium levels in the blood.

• Calcium deficiency: Insufficient dietary intake of calcium or conditions interfering with calcium absorption can lead to hypocalcemia.

Parathyroid Gland Disorders

• Hypoparathyroidism: Reduced or absent production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) impairs calcium regulation, resulting in low blood calcium. This can happen due to gland damage, autoimmune disease, or genetic factors.

Kidney and Liver Conditions

• Chronic kidney disease or failure: Impaired kidney function affects vitamin D activation and calcium balance, often leading to hypocalcemia. Similarly, liver disease can cause hypoalbuminemia, which may impact total calcium levels.

Other Causes

• Magnesium imbalance: Both magnesium deficiency and excess can impair calcium regulation.

• Medications: Certain drugs, including anticonvulsants, bisphosphonates, and certain antibiotics, may cause calcium depletion.

• Gastrointestinal disturbances: Malabsorption syndromes, pancreatitis, and other digestive issues can reduce calcium intake or absorption.

Additional Factors

• Alkalosis: Excess base in the blood can lead to calcium binding to proteins, reducing free ionized calcium.

• Severe illness or infection: Conditions like sepsis, severe COVID-19, and other critical states can disrupt calcium homeostasis.

In summary, hypocalcemia is often linked to vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid hormone disorders, kidney and liver diseases, nutritional deficits, certain medications, and physiological disturbances such as alkalosis or severe illness.

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