Hypophosphatemia: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Get urgent or emergency help for:

   • Difficulty breathing or rapidly worsening shortness of breath
   • A seizure, fainting, severe confusion, or reduced consciousness
   • Sudden profound weakness or inability to stand
   • Chest pain, a sustained racing or irregular heartbeat, or collapse
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek prompt medical advice if you develop worsening muscle weakness, difficulty walking, new swallowing problems, or persistent bone pain.

   These symptoms can have causes other than hypophosphatemia, but they need urgent assessment.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange routine medical follow-up if a test shows low phosphate, even if you feel well.

   Follow-up is particularly important if the result remains low, you have bone pain or weakness, or you take a medicine that may affect phosphate.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Hypophosphatemia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.