Hypophosphatemia

Hypophosphatemia
Other names	Low blood phosphate, phosphate deficiency, hypophosphataemia
Phosphate group chemical structure
Specialty	Endocrinology
Symptoms	Weakness, trouble breathing, loss of appetite[1]
Complications	Seizures, coma, rhabdomyolysis, softening of the bones[1]
Causes	Alcohol use disorder, refeeding in those with malnutrition, hyperventilation, diabetic ketoacidosis, burns, certain medications[1]
Diagnostic method	Blood phosphate < 0.81 mmol/L (2.5 mg/dL)[1]
Treatment	Based on the underlying cause, phosphate[1][2]
Frequency	2% (people in hospital)[1]

Hypophosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder in which there is a low level of phosphate in the blood.^[1] Symptoms may include weakness, trouble breathing, and loss of appetite.^[1] Complications may include seizures, coma, rhabdomyolysis, or softening of the bones.^[1]

Causes include alcohol use disorder, refeeding in those with malnutrition, recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis, burns, hyperventilation, and certain medications.^[1] It may also occur in the setting of hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and Cushing syndrome.^[1] It is diagnosed based on a blood phosphate concentration of less than 0.81 mmol/L (2.5 mg/dL).^[1] When levels are below 0.32 mmol/L (1.0 mg/dL) it is deemed to be severe.^[2]

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.^[1] Phosphate may be given by mouth or by injection into a vein.^[1] Hypophosphatemia occurs in about 2% of people within hospital and 70% of people in the intensive care unit (ICU).^[1][3]