Bone & Mineral Problems

What are bone and mineral problems?

Bone and mineral problems occur when there is too much or too little calcium or phosphorus in your bloodstream. Under normal circumstances, your bones are continually breaking themselves down and rebuilding. 

If you have an imbalance between calcium and phosphorus in your blood, it can interfere with your bones’ regeneration process. Your bones may break down faster than they rebuild, causing bone loss. 

Kidney disease and kidney failure are common causes of bone and mineral problems. Your kidneys regulate blood electrolytes like calcium and phosphorus so that kidney malfunction can cause an imbalance of one or the other.

What are the signs and symptoms of bone and mineral problems?

Bone and mineral problems come with a wide array of signs and symptoms that might be hard to link to your bones at first. In fact, many of them have little or nothing to do with your bones. You might experience:

• Frequent broken bones
• Bone pain
• Itching
• Nerve complications
• Anemia
• Trouble fighting infections
• Cardiovascular issues

If you have symptoms like these, you should come to Houston Kidney Specialists Center for a thorough evaluation and testing. If the team suspects that you have bone and mineral problems, they perform blood tests to check the levels of calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. They might also order a biopsy to study a sample of your bone. 

How are bone and mineral problems treated?

There are several different approaches to treating or managing bone and mineral problems. The team at Houston Kidney Specialists Center creates an individualized treatment plan to help control your condition. It might involve one or more of the following:

Supplements

Supplements give you high amounts of a specific nutrient. For bone and mineral problems, the team might suggest taking vitamin D or calcium supplements. 

Dietary and lifestyle changes

Changing your diet to include less phosphorus helps regulate your blood minerals. Getting more exercise can also be beneficial.

Medications

Your provider might prescribe phosphate binders or calcimimetics for bone and mineral problems. 

Surgery

Surgery may be an option if your bone and mineral problems stem from excessive parathyroid hormone in your system. The team might recommend surgical parathyroid removal. 

Bone and mineral problems can put you at a high risk of bone fractures, infections, and other health complications. Start planning your treatment for bone and mineral problems, call Houston Kidney Specialists, or book an appointment online today.