Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a metabolic emergency characterized by hyperglycemia, ketonemia, and metabolic acidosis. It results from severe insulin deficiency and an excess of counterregulatory hormones, leading to uncontrolled lipolysis, ketogenesis, and widespread electrolyte and fluid disturbances.Pathophysiology The central event in DKA is a profound loss of insulin action. Without insulin, glucose uptake in insulin-dependent tissues is impaired, while hepatic glucose production...

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...

Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction

Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction

DefinitionDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by a triad of hyperglycemia (blood glucose >250 mg/dL), ketonemia or ketonuria, and metabolic acidosis (arterial pH <7.30 and serum bicarbonate <18 mEq/L). It results from insulin deficiency combined with elevated levels of counterregulatory hormones—glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol, and growth hormone—leading to increased lipolysis, hepatic ketone production, and...

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in individuals using insulin or insulin-secreting drugs, but may also arise in non-diabetic conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are at the highest risk because they depend on exogenous insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk, especially when treated with insulin or medications such as sulfonylureas, which increase insulin release regardless of blood glucose levels. It develops when insulin levels exceed...

Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Massive wildfires followed oceanic anoxic events during the Late Devonian Frasnian-Famennian mass extinction.

Science advances·2026

Same author

A Holistic Evaluation of Clinical Competence and Professional Attitudes in Diabetes Health Care: Insights From a Multinational Cohort.

Clinical diabetes : a publication of the American Diabetes Association·2025

Same author

Adrenal Vein Sampling for Primary Aldosteronism: Recommendations From the Australian and New Zealand Working Group.

Clinical endocrinology·2024

Same author

Increasing rates of referrals for investigation of primary aldosteronism at a tertiary centre.

The New Zealand medical journal·2023

Same author

Randomised controlled trial of the Community Navigator programme to reduce loneliness and depression for adults with treatment-resistant depression in secondary community mental health services: trial protocol.

Trials·2023

Same author

Pituitary function following peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for neuroendocrine tumours.

Cancer medicine·2021

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry

Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry

Published on: October 28, 2014

Endocrine and metabolic emergencies: hypocalcaemia.

Richard Carroll¹, Glenn Matfin

¹Glenn Matfin Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; and Division of Endocrinology, New York University School of Medicine New York, NY, USA.

Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism

|November 14, 2012

Summary

Hypocalcaemia, a common electrolyte imbalance, requires prompt emergency management due to significant risks. Effective chronic care can prevent future hospitalizations for both low and high calcium levels.

Keywords:

hypocalcaemia parathyroid hormone vitamin D

More Related Videos

Generation of Hypoparathyroid Rats via Carbon-Nanoparticle-Assisted Parathyroidectomy

Generation of Hypoparathyroid Rats via Carbon-Nanoparticle-Assisted Parathyroidectomy

Published on: July 14, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 16, 2026

Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry

Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry

Published on: October 28, 2014

Generation of Hypoparathyroid Rats via Carbon-Nanoparticle-Assisted Parathyroidectomy

Generation of Hypoparathyroid Rats via Carbon-Nanoparticle-Assisted Parathyroidectomy

Published on: July 14, 2023

Area of Science:

Internal Medicine
Clinical Endocrinology

Background:

Hypocalcaemia is a frequent electrolyte disturbance, particularly in hospitalized patients.
The causes of hypocalcaemia are diverse, necessitating accurate diagnosis for effective treatment.
Acute hypocalcaemia presents a medical emergency with substantial morbidity and mortality risks.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the causes and management of hypocalcaemia.
To emphasize the emergency nature of acute hypocalcaemia.
To outline strategies for chronic hypocalcaemia patient care to reduce readmissions.

Main Methods:

Literature review of hypocalcaemia causes and management strategies.
Discussion of diagnostic approaches based on underlying etiology.
Overview of acute and chronic care protocols.

Main Results:

Identification of varied causes of hypocalcaemia.
Confirmation of acute hypocalcaemia as a medical emergency.
Highlighting the importance of ongoing management for chronic hypocalcaemia.

Conclusions:

Prompt recognition and management of acute hypocalcaemia are critical.
Tailoring treatment to the specific cause of hypocalcaemia is essential.
Comprehensive chronic care can mitigate long-term complications and reduce healthcare utilization.