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Suggest Treatment For Low Phosphorus Level In Blood

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Posted on Tue, 5 Jan 2016
Question: hi Doctor

I am from the UK and had blood tests done and have all come back fine besides one.

I have had antibiotic course x 4 for a mild prostatitis this year.


PHOSPHATE     * 0.42     mmol/L     0.87 - 1.45 (Markers in UK) these were the results of my phosphate test.

With which Organ is the Phosphate test linked with?

What do you suggest to get these back to normal?

Before my blood test which was yesterday morning, I ate the day before in the evening (Quorn + Rice) I woke up excreted and had the blood test done on a empty stomach and no water.
to tell you a bit about myself
I am overweight ( belly) I am 5 ft 8 and weight nearly 14 stone. My diet is very poor - I eat a lot of JUNK food such as Pizza.

is this a serious problem, what supplements or foods can I try before my retest.

I am a little scared - but doctor said its nothing to worry about as its linked with bone and teeth.

Obviously it will be in my mind for a retest. But I want to give myself a few weeks to get a bit healthy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Phosphorus levels

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

You recently had blood work and the phosphorus level was low. This element is not from any one particular organ. Phosphorus is used throughout the body for energy. Phosphorus is part of the Kreb's cycle which is the biochemistry energy machine. I would tell you that you just need to eat a better diet. Limiting yourself to fast food and being overweight is contributing more to your poor health than just a low phosphorus. I recommend changing your diet to something called a Mediterranean diet which is high in fruits and nuts with low amounts of cheese and meats is the best for prolonging your health. Exercise is also very important. Together you will be able to lose weight and improve your overall health

In summary
1. low phosphorus a sign of overall poor nutrition
2. Phosphorus used in Kreb's cycle for energy
3. Start a Mediterranean diet
4. Regular exercise program
5 Lose weight

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (10 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply sir I take your comments on board. I have a few follow up questions.

The thing is sir when I first put it into google I had the following things pop up

Low blood phosphate levels may also be the result of an increased loss of bicarbonate from your urine.

This may be a result of:
"Kidney dysfunction or damage- This form of damage to the kidneys does not cause failure (when your phosphate levels will be higher than normal), but it causes you to excrete or get rid of too much phosphorous through the kidney
Water pills or diuretics
Endocrine problems - such as a hyper parathyroid or thyroid gland, poorly controlled diabetes
Alcoholism - drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis
Rickets
If you are being treated for severe, uncontrolled diabetes (or elevated blood glucose)- phosphate likes to follow or accompany glucose into the cells, so you may have severely low blood phosphorous levels following this treatment"


What got me scared what the thing about the kidneys;

Please see below results of my kidney function which are all within the markers.

SODIUM     144     mmol/L     135 - 145
POTASSIUM     4.1     mmol/L     3.5 - 5.1
CHLORIDE     100     mmol/L     98 - 107
BICARBONATE     24     mmol/l     22 - 29
UREA     3.7     mmol/L     1.7 - 8.3
CREATININE     71     umol/L     66 - 112


So would you be confident it is not linked to kidneys or anything like that?
and it is not a condition such as Hypophosphatemia?

The symptoms I did have were tiredness and fatigue but I have a desk Job etc.


doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
look at whole picture

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for returning to HCM

Yes there are numerous other things associated with low phosphorus but these are a consequence of severe kidney disease and since your other blood work is normal there is no reason to be concerned. A lab result must be taken in context and in the context of an isolated abnormality means nothing. So I am very confident that you have no kidney problems and the low phosphorus is just a single isolated anomaly.

I can reassure you that you are fine
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 minute later)
one more thing that was low and the only thing is the;

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION     * 15     %     20 - 55

What would this be? and how would you suggest coming round this one.

I will definitly be improving my diet and loosing that weight I do not really want to take a RETEST, and improve my body via exercise and a healthy diet.

DO you think a retest is necessary with low phosporus levels or can i go onto live a normal life without worry?

- please also have a look at the transferrin saturation.

thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Low transferrin

Detailed Answer:
Transferrin is a molecule that transports iron throughout the body and a has immune properties. When a person's iron stores is low the transferrin will increase in an attempt to increase iron stores.

In your case your transferrin is low which is more likely due again to your poor diet. You need to really change your diet to improve your overall health.

I would recommend the diet and exercise and getting retested in 2-3 months. It would reassure you that you re making important improvements in your life.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (11 minutes later)
I had one final question.

I don't really want to get retested sir ? can I improve and loose weight and diet and get back to normal like that? as it will just cause me worry.

You are confident that it is only linked to diet as you have seen my kidney results?

I also did not carry out a thyroid test ? there is no link with phosphate and thyroid?
I did have a test last year and all was fine.

Also suggest Mediterranean foods?

XXXX

can you suggest any good supplementations?

I have seen this online, what are your views.
XXXX

also just say if I follow the diet loose atleast 2 stone over 6 month period.

And I get retested and the levels are still low, what can this mean then? why would this be
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
mediterranean diet

Detailed Answer:
A mediterranean diet is a diet high in fresh fruits vegetables and whole grain food with reduce amounts or low fat milk products and meat. So you should be eating 4-6 servings of fresh vegetables daily, 3-4 servings or whole grains like couscous and 1-2 servings of low fat dairy and meat.

With you just getting off the pizza diet and eating more nutritious foods you will be able to lose weight in the next few months. All the fat and calories in pizza add up quickly and cause weight gain and poor health.

You don't need to have any additional testing if you do not want to. I just suggested it because it sounded like you wanted to know if your efforts were paying off.

In addition to diet regular exercise and that could just be 30 minutes of walking daily. I would recommend something more vigorous like a full work out from a gym or running as the best way to get back in shape.

Supplements are controversial. I do not advocate supplements because if you are eating a proper diet supplements are unnecessary. It is just a waste of money and no studies have shown that supplements help.

Thyroid tests are not needed since you had them last year and they do not affect phosphorus levels
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (6 minutes later)
Okay Sir thank you very much.

I will try this diet and hopefully it will work.

Based on the result I am not abnormal in any shape or form? Netiher does it indicate any type of illness?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
poor nutrition

Detailed Answer:
Overall your health is good and the labs do not suggest anything of consequences. You have no disease or illness
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Low Phosphorus Level In Blood

Brief Answer: Phosphorus levels Detailed Answer: Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns You recently had blood work and the phosphorus level was low. This element is not from any one particular organ. Phosphorus is used throughout the body for energy. Phosphorus is part of the Kreb's cycle which is the biochemistry energy machine. I would tell you that you just need to eat a better diet. Limiting yourself to fast food and being overweight is contributing more to your poor health than just a low phosphorus. I recommend changing your diet to something called a Mediterranean diet which is high in fruits and nuts with low amounts of cheese and meats is the best for prolonging your health. Exercise is also very important. Together you will be able to lose weight and improve your overall health In summary 1. low phosphorus a sign of overall poor nutrition 2. Phosphorus used in Kreb's cycle for energy 3. Start a Mediterranean diet 4. Regular exercise program 5 Lose weight I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions