Final answer:
A decline in calcium ions below normal, or hypocalcemia, results in issues with blood coagulation, heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and bone strength. It is regulated by parathyroid hormone and can result from various causes including parathyroid issues. Treatment aims to restore calcium levels, often through dietary changes, supplements, or hormonal regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A decrease in calcium ions below normal limits, a condition known as hypocalcemia, can adversely affect various body systems such as circulation, muscles, nerves, and bones. In this state, blood may have difficulty coagulating, the heart might experience arrhythmias, muscle contractions can become impaired, and bone density may decrease leading to brittleness. Hypocalcemia can be caused by factors including parathyroid hormone deficiency, known as hypoparathyroidism, which can result from thyroid gland surgery or injury. Calcium homeostasis is essential for several body functions and is regulated by the parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin.
Treatment for hypocalcemia depends on its cause but often includes measures to increase calcium levels in the body. This might involve increasing dietary calcium, taking calcium supplements, or treating any underlying condition that causes the deficiency. Critical situations may call for intravenous calcium. To correct the underlying causes of hypocalcemia, cells in the parathyroid gland may sense the decrease in calcium and release parathyroid hormone, which stimulates calcium absorption and bone breakdown to release calcium.