Hyperphosphatemia is a condition in which there is abnormal increase in phosphate level of the body. Phosphorus is an essential element required for mineralizing bones and for genetic coding. Normal level of this element (2.5 -4.5 mg/dl) is vital for carrying metabolic process. If the level of phosphorus goes above 5 mg/dl then the person is said to have hyperphosphatemia. Children and menopause stage women will have slight increase in phosphorus level but the level should not go beyond the maximum reading. This increase can be as a result of reduction of calcium levels in blood.
A healthy person will excrete unwanted phosphate efficiently retaining only the required level by the body. It does not matter if your kidneys can effectively expel excess of phosphate even if you take excess of phosphate daily. One can include up to 4000 mg of phosphate each day.
It is estimated that 250,000 people have hyperphosphatemia in the U.S. alone and individuals with very high level for long time will have high mortality rate. Even if you have chronic renal problems but your phosphate levels are under control, then it may not cause any serious consequences.
For children the level of phosphate in blood can be from 3-6 mg/dl and for adults it can be anywhere from 2.5-4.5 mg/dl.
Symptoms :
If the phosphate level in blood is increased, there is chance for the cardiovascular and nervous system to get affected. On reaching high levels of phosphate the person will have confused thoughts, convulsions, delirium (a state of fantasy), muscle cramps and even coma. The affected person may have parasthesia problem in the neuromuscular activities. His cardiovascular systems may get affected leading to heart failure, heart attack and increased blood pressure.