Phosphorus (P) – role, research, interpretation. Symptoms of excess and deficiency of phosphorus

Proven content

Phosphorus (P) is an anion, most of which, i.e. 85% of the total phosphorus content in the body, is in the bones. In addition, higher amounts of phosphorus are found in the teeth and muscles. Phosphorus testing is useful in the diagnosis of bone diseases, and its values ​​depend on age.

Phosphorus – role and functions

Phosphorus is the most important anion of the intracellular water space and a component of high-energy compounds. Its atoms are present in nucleic acids, while phosphorus and calcium are the main components of bone. A small amount of phosphorus is found in muscles, tissues and body fluids. The amount of phosphorus in the body depends on its absorption in the intestine, its release from the bone and its excretion through the kidneys.

Phosphorus is an element of phospholipids that build cell membranes and an important component involved in the synthesis of high-energy compounds. The penetration of phosphorus from the tissues into the extracellular fluids suggests a disease – the excessive amount of the element in the body (phosphaturia) may have a renal and non-renal cause. Phosphorus should be excreted in the urine, otherwise it will start to be stored in the blood vessels and the heart muscle.

The greatest amount of phosphorus is found in bones and teeth – along with calcium, it takes part in their mineralization. It can also be found in the DNA and RNA acids that make up the genetic code. Phosphorus is involved in the conduction of nerve stimuli and maintains the acid-base balance in the body. It is an element without which the body cannot function properly.

Also check: Macronutrients – functions, the most important macronutrients

Phosphorus – deficiency symptoms

Phosphorus deficiency is called hypophosphatemia. It can be caused by malnutrition, problems with vitamin D absorption, and metabolic syndromes. Alcoholics and parenteral nutrition also suffer from it, which is the case with long-term treatment with aluminum hydroxide. Phosphorus deficiency is not a common condition as it is found in many foods, such as cheese and bread.

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency are cramps, muscle weakness and swelling, a slight increase in muscle tone. People with this condition may also complain of bone pain, vomiting, respiratory problems, and neurological disorders. People with this condition are also more prone to infections and sway from side to side (known as duck gait) while walking. The group of people exposed to phosphorus deficiency includes, among others women over 50.

Read also: Symptoms of vitamin deficiency

Phosphorus – symptoms of excess

Excess phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia) causes, among others highly processed diet. It turns out that the poor have a higher amount of phosphate in their blood and are forced to eat cheap processed products for financial reasons – these groups include the lowest-income and the unemployed. When the excess is mild, this is manifested by muscle spasms and the presence of calcium deposits in the tissues.

Excess phosphorus poses a serious health risk. It can even lead to a heart attack or coma. Moreover, it also causes tachycardia and hypotension. The body of a person taking an excessive amount of phosphorus has impaired vitamin D synthesis and calcium absorption. This increases the risk of heart disease – excess phosphorus contributes to an imbalance of minerals that regulate blood pressure, kidney function and circulation.

Phosphorus – daily intake

An adult should consume 700 to 1200 mg of phosphorus daily. However, it should be remembered that the daily requirement for phosphorus depends on the stage of development of a given person – newborns and children in adolescence have the greatest demand for phosphorus. Teenagers should consume about 1250 mg of phosphorus daily. In their case, the body’s high phosphorus requirement is needed to build tissues, muscles and bones.

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Natural sources of phosphorus

The greatest amount of phosphorus is contained in plants and cereals growing in fertile soils. Plants and grains need it for photosynthesis and the building of cell membranes. Phosphorus is found in plant tissues in the form of both organic and inorganic phosphate compounds. When it is missing, the plant grows slower and its leaves change color because the tissues do not contain an insufficient amount of mineral salts.

Blood phosphorus testing – what should you know about it?

Phosphorus deficiency is the cause of many bone and tooth diseases, because most of the phosphorus in the body is found in them. Inorganic phosphorus testing should be performed at the time of suspicion of neoplastic bone metastases, persistent vomiting, suspected hyperthyroidism and renal tubular disorders.

The indications for the examination are also severe injuries, chronic renal failure, treatment of neoplasms with chemotherapy, bone pain and muscle weakness. Control of phosphorus concentration should also be carried out during parenteral nutrition, in people who drink too much alcohol, in dialysis, excessive supply of vitamin D3 and disorders of its metabolism.

In the package of blood tests Check the condition of your bones you will check not only the level of phosphorus in your body, but also vitamin D and calcium, which are of great importance for bone health.

What is a phosphorus blood test?

Blood phosphorus testing in adults involves taking a small amount of blood, for example from a vein at the bottom of the elbow, into a test tube. In the case of children, blood is collected through a small incision in the skin with a medical knife. The patient is obliged to take part in the test on an empty stomach – the last meal of the previous day should be consumed no later than 18 pm. The collected blood sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis.

The waiting time for the test result is 1 day. The age of the patient is always taken into account when interpreting the result. Remember to always consult the result with your doctor. The reference values ​​are:

– 1-5 days: 4,8-8,2 mg / dl,

– 1-3 years: 3,8-6,5 mg / dl,

– 4-11 years: 3,7-5,6 mg / dl,

– 12-15 years: 2,9-5,4 mg / dl,

– 16-19 years: 2,7-4,7 mg / dl,

– Adults: 3,0-4,5 mg / dL.

See also: Bone profile – what tests does it contain?

Phosphorus level test – interpretation

In the case of an increased concentration of phosphorus in the body (hyperphosphatemia), we can have:

1. acidosis accompanied by dehydration
2. hypoparathyroidism,
3. intense physical effort,
4. reduced glomerular filtration,
5. chemotherapy – due to the breakdown of cancer cells,
6. excessive phosphorus intake in the diet,
7. acute or chronic renal failure,
8. increased phosphate reabsorption,

We can deal with a reduced concentration of phosphorus in the body (hypophosphatemia) in the case of:

1. insufficient supply of phosphorus in the diet,
2. ketoacidosis,
3. hyperparathyroidism,
4. taking alkalizing drugs for a long time and diuretics,
5. absorption disorders,
6. people with extensive burns and injuries,
7. rickets.

The reduced amount of phosphorus in the body is characterized by:

1. vomiting
2. muscle aches
3. weakening,
4. convulsions
5. breathing problems.

In extreme cases, when the phosphorus concentration is below 1 mg / dl, muscle breakdown may occur. However, the level below 0,5 mg / d causes erythrocyte hemolysis. Therapy of low phosphorus levels is primarily to cure the underlying disease and include foods rich in phosphorus, e.g. meat, grain products, in the diet. Some patients require intravenous phosphate infusions.

Calcium absorption can be supported by using BiΩ Omega3 D2000 Xenico. The supplement contains vitamin D, which supports the absorption of not only phosphorus, but also calcium and potassium.