Hypophosphatemia
Hypophosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder in which there is a low level of phosphate in the blood. Symptoms may include weakness, trouble breathing, and loss of appetite. Complications may include seizures, coma, rhabdomyolysis, or softening of the bones.
| Hypophosphatemia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Low blood phosphate, phosphate deficiency, hypophosphataemia |
| Phosphate group chemical structure | |
| Specialty | Endocrinology |
| Symptoms | Weakness, trouble breathing, loss of appetite |
| Complications | Seizures, coma, rhabdomyolysis, softening of the bones |
| Causes | Alcohol use disorder, refeeding in those with malnutrition, hyperventilation, diabetic ketoacidosis, burns, certain medications |
| Diagnostic method | Blood phosphate < 0.81 mmol/L (2.5 mg/dL) |
| Treatment | Based on the underlying cause, phosphate |
| Frequency | 2% (people in hospital) |
Causes include alcohol use disorder, refeeding in those with malnutrition, recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis, burns, hyperventilation, and certain medications. It may also occur in the setting of hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and Cushing syndrome. It is diagnosed based on a blood phosphate concentration of less than 0.81 mmol/L (2.5 mg/dL). When levels are below 0.32 mmol/L (1.0 mg/dL) it is deemed to be severe.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Phosphate may be given by mouth or by injection into a vein. Hypophosphatemia occurs in about 2% of people within hospital and 70% of people in the intensive care unit (ICU).