In a 2000 study published in the Journal of Rheumatology, researchers observed lower bone density in fibromyalgia patients compared to controls suggesting a presence of weak calcium metabolism in fibromyalgia patients. Acknowledging the importance of calcium ions in healthy muscular functions, a group of Italian researchers measured intracellular calcium concentration instead of serum calcium (more commonly investigated in other studies) in both fibromyalgia patients and controls. The 2000 Italian study found lower intracellular calcium concentration in fibromyalgia participants and suggested that it could be the reason for over tensed muscles in people with fibromyalgia.

In a later Korean study done in 2011, researchers found lower Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Manganese content the hair of fibromyalgia patients as compared to controls. The Korean researchers explained that hair mineral assay is more accurate in evaluating the intracellular activity of calcium and other minerals as compared to blood/urine test which was used in prior research but showed no significant difference between fibromyalgia patients and controls.

The findings of the above studies suggest a link between calcium and fibromyalgia. Calcium deficiency can result in muscle cramps, pain and fatigue. However, calcium deficiency in fibromyalgia may not be due to insufficient consumption but a weak metabolism of calcium causing low intracellular calcium content needed for proper muscle functioning. The studies above suggest a possibility of inventing a potential drug to maintain healthy calcium metabolism and intracellular calcium levels. Although, increasing calcium supplements may is not likely to relieve fibromyalgia pain, it is still recommended that fibromyalgia patients meet daily calcium requirements to maintain bone health.

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1. Young-Sang Kim et al. Women with Fibromyalgia Have Lower Levels of Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Manganese in Hair Mineral Analysis. J Korean Med Sci. 2011 Oct; 26(10): 1253–1257.
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