Hypophosphatemia | |
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Other names | Low blood phosphate, phosphate deficiency, hypophosphataemia |
Phosphate group chemical structure | |
Specialty | Endocrinology |
Symptoms | Weakness, trouble breathing, loss of appetite[1] |
Complications | Seizures, coma, rhabdomyolysis, softening of the bones[1] |
Causes | Alcohol use disorder, refeeding in those with malnutrition, hyperventilation, diabetic ketoacidosis, burns, certain medications[1] |
Diagnostic method | Blood phosphate < 0.81 mmol/L (2.5 mg/dL)[1] |
Treatment | Based on the underlying cause, phosphate[1][2] |
Frequency | 2% (people in hospital)[1] |
Hypophosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder in which there is a low level of phosphate in the blood.[1] Symptoms may include weakness, trouble breathing, and loss of appetite.[1] Complications may include seizures, coma, rhabdomyolysis, or softening of the bones.[1]
Causes include alcohol use disorder, refeeding in those with malnutrition, recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis, burns, hyperventilation, and certain medications.[1] It may also occur in the setting of hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and Cushing syndrome.[1] It is diagnosed based on a blood phosphate concentration of less than 0.81 mmol/L (2.5 mg/dL).[1] When levels are below 0.32 mmol/L (1.0 mg/dL) it is deemed to be severe.[2]
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.[1] Phosphate may be given by mouth or by injection into a vein.[1] Hypophosphatemia occurs in about 2% of people within hospital and 70% of people in the intensive care unit (ICU).[1][3]