Evaluation of Serum Calcium Levels and Its Cellular Transport Implications in a Cohort of Healthy Females in Tocra, Libya: Integration with Local Baseline Vitamin D3 and TSH Profiles

Abstract

Calcium ions play essential regulatory roles in controlling neuromuscular response thresholds, signal transduction pathways, and skeletal tissue mineralization. Although the Mediterranean climate supports mineral metabolism, the dynamics of physiological and cellular transport in the city of Tocra, eastern Libya, remain poorly understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to measure calcium concentrations in a precisely defined, independent cohort of healthy women in Tocra, integrate these findings with regional reference data for Vitamin D3 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and explore potential bottlenecks in cellular uptake and their associated environmental and genetic implications. Calcium levels were measured in 54 participants selected based on strict exclusion criteria. The results were compared with data from two separate regional reference groups; these groups exhibited high prevalence rates of Vitamin D3 deficiency (79.63%, n=54) and a stable distribution of normal thyroid status (91.43%, n=70). The mean calcium level among participants was 7.58 ± 1.20 mg/dL. Significant calcium deficiency was observed in 43 participants (79.63%), while normal levels were found in only 11 (20.37%); no cases of elevated calcium were detected. Comparison with the corresponding regional reference data revealed a clear association between low calcium levels and Vitamin D3 deficiency, independent of fluctuations in thyroid function. This indicates a systemic absorption dysfunction and regional gene-environment variations, necessitating the adoption of targeted nutritional and genomic strategies.