From the Guidelines
Hyperphosphatemia can cause a range of symptoms including joint pain, bone pain, muscle cramps, and itchy skin, as well as more severe complications such as calcification of blood vessels and increased risk of heart disease. These symptoms are a result of the imbalance caused by high phosphorus levels in the blood, which can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism and elevated blood levels of PTH 1. The symptoms of hyperphosphatemia can be broken down into several categories, including:
- Musculoskeletal symptoms: joint pain, bone pain, muscle cramps
- Dermatological symptoms: itchy skin
- Cardiovascular symptoms: calcification of blood vessels, increased risk of heart disease
- Other symptoms: fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, sleep problems, nausea, vomiting, constipation It is essential to note that hyperphosphatemia often develops in people with kidney disease, as healthy kidneys normally remove excess phosphorus 1. The condition creates an imbalance with calcium, pulling calcium from bones and causing them to weaken, leading to high-turnover bone disease and other adverse consequences of excess PTH 1. Prolonged hyperphosphatemia can cause soft-tissue and vascular calcification, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality 1. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent hyperphosphatemia and maintain serum phosphorus levels within the normal range, especially in individuals with kidney disease 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Hyperphosphatemia
The symptoms of hyperphosphatemia are not directly stated in the provided studies. However, the consequences and associated conditions of hyperphosphatemia can be identified:
- Hyperphosphatemia is correlated with an increased rate of mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular diseases in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients 2.
- It can lead to secondary hyperparathyroidism and metastatic calcification 3.
- Hyperphosphatemia is also associated with bone disease, vascular calcification, and cardiovascular disease 4.
- High dietary phosphate intake and hyperphosphatemia are progression factors for declining kidney function and are associated with higher cardiovascular disease and mortality risk 5.
Associated Conditions
Some of the associated conditions and consequences of hyperphosphatemia include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism
- Metastatic calcification
- Bone disease
- Vascular calcification
- Declining kidney function
Treatment and Management
The treatment and management of hyperphosphatemia involve: