Why Does Your Body Need Calcium? 

Calcium is needed to keep your body strong and functional, so it is a good thing calcium is the most abundant mineral in your system. This mighty mineral helps your blood clot, your blood vessels contract and dilate, your nerves transmit signals, your muscles flex and relax, and your organs secrete hormones — and it only takes 1% of your calcium supply to do all of that. The other 99% of your body’s calcium resides in your bones and teeth where it is stored in reserve in case you ever need it elsewhere.  

If you do not get enough calcium from food and/or supplements, it can lead to hypocalcemia, a calcium disorder that can weaken your bones, lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures, and cause problems with your nerves and muscles. In severe cases, hypocalcemia can increase your risk for heart disease, hypertension, stroke, vision problems, and some cancers. 

Did you know that your skin and nails can tell you if you are running low on calcium? Let us take a closer look at how your skin and nails may be sending up a flare to warn you about hypocalcemia — calcium deficiency. 

You can have a calcium deficiency for a long time without realizing it. That is because your other systems draw from the reserve in your bones to get what they need. This gradual siphoning weakens your bones over time. Your bones cannot tell you they need more calcium until they break, or you get them tested, but other symptoms can alert you. 

If you are not getting enough calcium, you will probably feel fatigued, constipated, and unable to concentrate, but to further complicate matters, those could be signs of anything, including lack of sleep. You may notice that your muscles are stiff and achy or that your fingers and toes get tingly sometimes, but again, you can chalk that up to any number of benign issues.  

Early signs of calcium deficiency are difficult to spot. Often, they show up first in your skin and nails, but even then, it is not a definitive diagnosis. Paying attention to yourself and the condition of your nails and skin can let you know when to see our team for diagnostic testing. 

If your body lacks calcium, your nails become thinner, and brittle. You may notice that they break easily and just do not look as healthy as they used to. Although nails and bones are made up of different substances, they are similar enough that poor nail health may be an early marker of bone density problems. 

Calcium-deprived nails also grow very slowly. That said, almost all nutrient deficiencies can slow down the growth of your nails, so you cannot assume the culprit is calcium, but it should be checked out. 

Like your nails, your skin relies on a good diet that contains plenty of calcium. Starve your skin, and you notice the signs right away: a dry, dull appearance and itchiness. Calcium deficiency can be directly linked to childhood eczema, so children with food intolerances or allergies that preclude them from consuming dairy products may develop eczema as a result.  

Hypocalcemia is also a risk factor for psoriasis, and studies suggest that patients with this condition can benefit from incorporating calcium-rich dairy foods into their diet. 

Our staff at Palmetto Endocrinology specialize in correcting calcium disorders and their underlying causes. 

Author

Joseph Mathews, MD, FACP, FACE, ECNU, CCD Joseph W. Mathews M.D., a board certified Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Palmetto Endocrinology, was born and raised in South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Charleston, Cum Laude. He then achieved his M.D. at the Medical University of South Carolina where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Mathews is also a Fellow of both the American College of Endocrinology and the American College of Physicians, holds an Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) and is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD). He has extensive experience performing ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsies. His practice includes a range of specializations including prescribing and fitting patients with insulin pumps. Dr. Mathews' practice has drawn patients from out of state to benefit from his expertise in thyroid disorders, diabetes, cortisol problems and their Endocrine disorders.