# Hypophosphatemia --- **Hypophosphatemia** is a condition where there is not enough [[phosphate]] in the blood. It is not that common, relatively speaking. ## Causes The most common cause of hypophosphatemia are [[malnutrition]] and [[alcohol use disorder]], but can also be caused by: - [[burns]] - severe [[diarrhea]] - [[diuretics]] - TPN - especially long-term, it's difficult to deliver phosphate this way - [[hyperparathyroidism]] - which causes [[hypocalcemia]], which has an inverse relationship wiht phosphate ## Signs & Symptoms The signs and symptoms of hypophosphatemia typically do not show up unless it is pretty severe. When they do show up, they are similar to those in [[hypercalcemia#Signs & Symptoms]]. ## Treatment Treatment for hypophosphatemia consists of replacing the phosphorus. - Oral intake - diary - careful with this one, it's also high in calcium - nuts - seeds - grains - meat - chocolate and cola - IV - low calcium diet ## Nursing Considerations If there is ever an infusion for IV, phosphate is a *vesicant* if we do infuse IV it is a vesicant so watch for infiltration/sloughing/necrosis at IV site. ___