Are numbness and tingling in the hands and feet caused by calcium deficiency or anemia?
Disease description:
Sometimes, after sitting for a long time or upon waking up from sleep, the numbness becomes particularly noticeable. This has made me quite concerned. I don't know whether the numbness in my hands and feet is due to calcium deficiency or anemia.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Numbness in the hands and feet is a common symptom that may be caused by calcium deficiency or anemia.
1. Calcium deficiency: This primarily affects bone health. When blood calcium levels are excessively low, it may cause muscle spasms, convulsions, or sensory abnormalities, including numbness in the hands and feet. However, this situation is relatively rare and often accompanied by other symptoms such as irritability and insomnia.
2. Anemia: This refers to a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the concentration of hemoglobin falls below the normal range, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to tissues and organs. Particularly in iron-deficiency anemia and megaloblastic anemia, numbness in the hands and feet may occur due to deficiencies in iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12. In severe cases of anemia, patients may experience coldness, numbness, or tingling sensations in the extremities due to poor peripheral circulation.
Numbness in the hands and feet may also be related to other factors, such as cervical spondylosis, cerebrovascular disease, poor peripheral circulation, diabetic neuropathy, and peripheral neuritis. If symptoms of numbness persist for a prolonged period, prompt medical evaluation at a hospital is necessary.
