Phosphorus is a mineral found in your bones. Along with calcium, phosphorus is needed to build strong healthy bones, as well as to keep other parts of your body healthy.
High Phosphorus Side Effects
- headaches
- nausea
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- rash
- hives
- shortness of breath
- rapid heartbeat
- swelling of the face
- throat, or tongue problems
How can I control my phosphorus levels?
You can maintain a normal phosphorus level by understanding your diet and phosphorus control medications. Phosphorus is found in food (organic phosphorus) and is found naturally in foods rich in protein such as meat, poultry, fish, nuts, beans, and dairy products. Phosphorus from animal foods is more easily absorbed than phosphorus from plant foods.
Phosphorus added to the diet in the form of an additive or preservative (inorganic phosphorus) is found in foods such as fast, ready-to-eat foods, canned and bottled beverages, processed meats, and processed foods. Phosphorus from dietary supplements is completely absorbed. Avoiding phosphorus supplements can reduce your phosphorus intake. Phosphorus supplements are found in the list of ingredients on the label for food facts. See “PHOS” for food phosphorus supplements.
Phosphorus supplements found in food include:
- Dicalcium phosphate
- Disodium phosphate
- Monosodium phosphate
- Phosphoric acid
- Sodium hexameta-phosphate
- Trisodium phosphate
- Sodium tripolyphosphate
- Tetrasodium pyrophosphate
Why is phosphorus important to you?
Normal kidney function can remove excess phosphorus from your blood. If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), your kidneys cannot remove phosphorus very well. High levels of phosphorus can cause damage to your body. Excess phosphorus causes a change in the body’s ability to absorb calcium from your bones, weakening it.
High levels of phosphorus and calcium also lead to the accumulation of harmful calcium in the blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and heart. Over time this can lead to a risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. Phosphorus and calcium regulation are very important throughout your life.
What is the safe blood level of phosphorus?
The normal phosphorus level is 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL. Ask your kidney doctor or dietitian what the final level of phosphorus is and write it down to help keep track of it.
FAQ
How high is too high for phosphorus?
The normal amount of phosphorus in the blood (also called serum phosphorus) is between 2.5 – 4.5 mg/dL. This is for an otherwise healthy person. Click here for what your phosphorus numbers should be when you have kidney disease. Having too much phosphorus in your blood is also called hyperphosphatemia.
Why would phosphorus be high?
Too much phosphate in the blood is known as hyperphosphatemia. The most common cause is kidney disease, but other conditions can lead to phosphate levels being out of balance. Phosphate is a chemical found in the body. It contains a mineral called phosphorus that occurs naturally in many foods.
Does high phosphorus cause high blood pressure?
The researchers show that increased phosphate intake, more specifically an increased serum phosphate level, activates the sympathetic nervous system, which accelerates cardiac activity and increases blood pressure.
What happens if phosphorus level is high?
High phosphorus levels can cause damage to your body. Extra phosphorus causes body changes that pull calcium out of your bones, making them weak. High phosphorus and calcium levels also lead to dangerous calcium deposits in blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and heart.
