When doctors think someone might not have enough calcium, they do a few things to check. First, they talk to the person about their health and examine them to look for any signs that point to calcium deficiency. After that, they might do some tests to be sure.

Blood Tests

These are the main tests doctors use to check for calcium deficiency:

• Total Blood Calcium: This measures how much calcium is in your blood.
• Phosphorus and Magnesium Levels: Since these minerals work closely with calcium, their levels can also give clues about calcium status.
• Electrolytes: This test looks at the balance of minerals in your blood that helps your body work right.
• Creatinine: Checking this helps see how well your kidneys are working, which is important because kidneys help manage calcium levels.
• Alkaline Phosphatase: This enzyme can be higher if there are bone problems related to calcium deficiency.
• PTH (Parathyroid Hormone): This hormone regulates calcium levels in your blood, so testing it can help find issues.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Though not directly related to calcium, this test can give an overall picture of your health.

Imaging Tests

Doctors might also use special machines to look inside your body, such as:

• Renal Ultrasonography: This uses sound waves to create pictures of your kidneys to check if they’re working right and not causing calcium loss.
• Electrocardiography (ECG): Since calcium is important for heart health, this test checks your heart’s electrical activity to find any problems.
• Bone X-rays: These can show if there’s any damage or changes in your bones that might be due to low calcium.

DNA Sequencing

Sometimes, the reason for calcium deficiency might be genetic. In these cases, doctors can look at your DNA to find any genetic causes that might be affecting how your body handles calcium.

By using these tests, doctors can get a good idea if you have a calcium deficiency, what might be causing it, and how severe it is.

Avoiding calcium deficiency is all about making sure you get enough of this essential mineral through your diet, lifestyle, and managing any health conditions that might affect calcium levels. Here’s how you can prevent it:

1. Get Enough Calcium

First up, eating the right amount of calcium for your age is key. Here’s a quick guide on how much calcium you need:

• Babies 0-6 months: 200 mg/day
• Babies 7-12 months: 260 mg/day
• Toddlers 1-3 years: 700 mg/day
• Kids 4-8 years: 1000 mg/day
• Teens 9-13 years: 1300 mg/day
• Adults 19-70 years: 1000 mg/day
• Seniors over 70: 1200 mg/day

You can get calcium from foods like:

• Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese) – they’re super rich in calcium.
• Vegetables like soybeans, spinach, kale, broccoli, and green turnip.
• Fruits like apples (with the skin on).
• Fortified foods like some breakfast cereals and tofu made with calcium salts.
• Fish like canned sardines and salmon, which you eat with the bones.
• Nuts and almond butter.
• Eggs.

2. Don’t Forget Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also important because it helps your body absorb calcium. You can get Vitamin D from sunshine, eating foods like fatty fish and fortified dairy, or taking supplements if needed.

3. Watch Out for Restrictive Diets

Some diets cut out whole groups of foods, which can make it hard to get enough calcium. It’s best to eat a balanced diet to make sure you’re not missing out on important nutrients.

4. Take Care of Your Health

If you have a health condition like liver or kidney disease, it can affect how well your body handles calcium. Taking care of these underlying conditions can help keep your calcium levels right.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can help prevent calcium deficiency and keep your bones, heart, muscles, and nerves healthy.