Hypercalcemia (High Calcium)

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KEY POINTS

• Hypercalcemia is high levels of calcium in your blood. Too much calcium can be life-threatening.
• You may have too much calcium because of a medical problem, certain medicines, or too much calcium in your diet.
• Treatment may include medicines or other treatments to lower the amount of calcium in your blood.

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What is hypercalcemia?

Hypercalcemia means that the amount of calcium in your blood is higher than normal. Calcium is a mineral that you get from food. You need calcium for strong bones and teeth, but too much calcium in your blood can be life threatening. It can can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and cause problems with the way your heart and brain work.

What is the cause?

Possible causes of too much calcium include:

• Parathyroid gland problems. The parathyroid glands are in your neck and help control the levels of calcium and phosphorus in your blood. This is the most common cause.
• A tumor that increases calcium levels in the blood
• Vitamin D levels that are too high. Vitamin D helps your body take calcium from the food you eat and use it to build bone.
• Too much calcium in your diet, or in supplements that you take
• Taking medicine that raises calcium levels in your blood
• Being bedridden after surgery or because of a serious illness, because when bones don’t bear weight for a long time, they release calcium into the blood
• Thyroid gland problems. Your thyroid gland is in the lower front of your neck and controls energy, temperature, heart rate, and appetite.
• An inherited problem, which means that it is passed from parents to children through their genes. Genes are inside each cell of your body. Certain genes affect the way your body uses calcium.
• Being dehydrated, which can cause your body to not have enough fluid to balance minerals in your blood

What are the symptoms?

You may not have symptoms until calcium levels get very high. Severe symptoms may include:

• Weakness or feeling tired
• Muscle twitching
• Feeling thirsty or urinating a lot
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Belly pain
• Constipation
• Sudden changes in mood, thinking, or behavior
• Bone pain

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You will have blood tests. You may also have tests or scans to check for possible causes of your symptoms.

How is it treated?

Your treatment will depend on the cause and how high your calcium levels are.

• If high calcium is caused by a medical problem, treating the medical problem may improve your calcium level.
• If you are getting too much calcium or vitamin D from supplements, your healthcare provider may decrease the amount or have you stop taking them.
• If you take medicine that increases calcium, your provider may prescribe a different kind of medicine.
• If your hypercalcemia is severe, you will probably stay in the hospital. You may need IV fluids, medicine, or dialysis to decrease your calcium levels.

You will need regular blood tests to check your calcium level.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. In addition:

• Do not take calcium or vitamin D supplements unless your provider tells you to do so.
• Exercise regularly. If you are bedridden for several days or longer, ask your provider if there are exercises that you or someone can help you do.
• Drink enough liquid to keep your urine light yellow in color. Ask your provider how much fluid you should drink each day.
• If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking can weaken your bones if you have hypercalcemia. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to quit smoking.
• Ask your provider:
  • How and when you will get your test results
  • If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
  • How to take care of yourself at home
  • What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.