Hypocalcemia/Magnesium deficiency

[Shinyshoes]

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer about 4 years ago and had a total thyroidectomy at the time. During the majority of 2008 I was unable to afford my medication and would take less than the recommended dosage. During this time I began to feel symptoms of hypocalcemia. The tingling, burning sensation, the muscle spasms and so on. However, my blood test have shown normal calcium levels. I'm currently take my medication as prescribed, but I still have these symptoms. So I'm wondering if long term hypothyroidism can cause hypocalcemia and if a person could have hypocalcemia when calcium levels are within normal range on regular blood test? Or is there a special blood test which test for hypocalcemia?

[Shinyshoes]

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I didn't recieve a notication email so I didn't know someone else had responded. I'm going to try take both magnesium and vitamin D and see if that would help. My blood test say my calcium and magnesium are fine, but something has to be wrong. The tingling is similar to what I experienced right after my TT and calcium helped with that, but it hasn't helped this time. So I'll try those two supplements.

Thanks for your help.

[Kimemitch]

Hi,

I had Total Thyroidectomy in 1994. I found out in 2007 that the surgery had knocked out my Parathyroid too! I was a physical mental wreck and had sought other opinions. The new endo checked my PTH and said I would have to take Calcitriol for the rest of my life. As the parathyroids would not come back. Calcitriol is a prescription form of Vitamin D. It has helped me tremendously, although it has totally set of changes in my Thyroid meds. I was at a high dosage and still not functioning, I think my body was over compensating in some way. Anyway, just wanted to mention that to you, so you can be aware of that possibility. Good Luck, Kimemitch

[Shinyshoes]

Thank you so much for your help.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

These do seem to be low calcium symptoms -- could look at "ionized calcium" as another measurement.  Keeping thyroid level would also help minimize these symtpoms.