Hypophosphatemia

Hypophosphatemia can be a side effect of a poor diet, critical illness, or hospitalization. If you have persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, or other symptoms of abnormally low phosphate levels, Bioinfusion Center can help. Cindy Crosby, MSN, FNP, CCRN, CRNI, and the team specialize in custom intravenous (IV) phosphate infusions to quickly restore electrolyte balance, so you can feel like yourself again. Call the Farmington Hills, Michigan, office today to learn more about infusion therapy for hypophosphatemia or book an appointment online. 

What is hypophosphatemia?

Hypophosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder involving abnormally low phosphate levels in the bloodstream. 

Phosphate is responsible for healthy nerve function, energy production, and strong teeth and bones. You get phosphate from foods like meat, milk, and eggs and your cells also produce smaller amounts of the electrolyte. 

Phosphate imbalances are most common in people with severe or chronic illnesses, such as sepsis and diabetic ketoacidosis. Hypophosphatemia can also result from:

• Vitamin D deficiency
• Starvation
• Alcohol use disorder
• Use of antacids and other medicines

Bioinfusion Center offers comprehensive care for adults with severe hypophosphatemia. The team provides IV infusions of supplemental phosphate and other nutrients to restore balance in your body and protect your long-term bone health.

What are the symptoms of hypophosphatemia?

Mild hypophosphatemia may not cause noticeable symptoms. When phosphate levels are very low, you can develop issues like:

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Bone pain
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of appetite

Hypophosphatemia can also contribute to tooth decay and bone fractures.

Bloodwork offers insight into your phosphate levels to confirm or rule out hypophosphatemia. Blood tests can also identify the root cause of low phosphate levels and help the Bioinfusion Center team determine if infusion therapy is an appropriate treatment.

How does IV infusion therapy treat hypophosphatemia?

If you have mild hypophosphatemia, you can improve your health by eating foods high in phosphate or taking an oral phosphate supplement.

Adults with severely low phosphate levels may need high doses of phosphate to treat hypophosphatemia and prevent complications. Bioinfusion Center provides IV infusions of phosphate directly into your bloodstream.

The team can also add supplemental vitamin D in the infusion to support the health of teeth and bones. If low phosphate levels contribute to tooth decay, you can discuss the need for dental sealants with your dentist.

Depending on the cause of hypophosphatemia, you might need additional phosphate infusions to keep your bloodstream balanced. The team discusses your options for maintenance infusions based on your condition. They also offer IV hydration therapy to prevent additional electrolyte imbalances.  

Call Bioinfusion Center today to schedule a consultation for hypophosphatemia symptoms or book an appointment online.