What Is Hypercalcemia?

Hypercalcemia is a condition with high calcium levels in the body. Aside from being a mineral in the bones, calcium is also crucial in various other body functions such as muscle contractions, functioning of the heart and multiple processes within the cell.

How Does Hypercalcemia Occur?

Most of the calcium in our body is stored in our bones. The level of calcium is carefully controlled by the amount you ingest in foods, the amount that is demineralized from the bones and the amount of calcium that is removed by your body through our kidneys.

Elevated calcium levels in the body can occur through many different ways, of which two most common causes being hyperparathyroidism and various cancers.

Calcium levels in the body are carefully regulated by parathyroid hormone. This hormone is produced by the parathyroid glands, which are located near the thyroid gland in our neck. Parathyroid hormone acts on our bones, kidneys and gut to carefully regulate calcium levels. When too much parathyroid hormone is made, the levels of calcium in the blood increase. Please see PersonalMD's article on hyperparathyroidism for more information.

Cancers can cause high calcium levels in two ways. Some cancers can produce a hormone that acts like parathyroid hormone, while others can destroy bones and release calcium into the blood.

Other causes of hypercalcemia include kidney failure, excess vitamin D or vitamin A, Milk-Alkali syndrome (excessive ingestion of calcium containing products), drugs such as hydrochlorothiazide and granulomatous diseases such as sarcoidosis or tuberculosis.

How Is It Diagnosed?

The doctor will likely suspect the condition from the recent symptoms and a physical exam. To confirm the diagnosis of hypercalcemia, a blood test needs to be done to show elevated levels of calcium in the blood.

Other lab tests that the doctor may order are as follows:

The doctor may also order imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans to help locate cancer or areas of the parathyroid gland that may be producing excess hormone.

How Is It Treated?

Initial treatment of hypercalcemia depends on the severity of the symptoms and the level of calcium in the blood. Patients with severe symptoms may require hospitalization. In the hospital, patients can expect to receive intravenous fluids and intravenous diuretics (such as furosemide) to aid in elimination of calcium through urine.

Patients may also be placed on medications to help prevent increased calcium levels in the future. The bisphosphonate class of drugs helps to control calcium levels by preventing calcium release from bones. Examples of bisphosphonate drugs are pamidronate and alendronate, which are prescription medications. Other medications that may be used include calcitonin, gallium nitrate and plicamycin.

It's also important to determine the exact cause of hypercalcemia. Surgery is necessary for patients diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. For those cases of hypercalcemia secondary to cancer, a referral to an oncologist and possible surgery and/or radiation and chemotherapy may be needed.

How Long Will The Effects Last?

The symptoms of hypercalcemia will resolve as the levels of calcium in the body come back to normal. Usually patients will begin to feel better within 24 to 48 hours, after proper medical therapy has been started.

How Can I Take Care Of Myself?

Follow instructions given to you by your doctor and take medications as prescribed. Look out for signs of hypercalcemia and contact the doctor if you notice symptoms developing again.

What Can Be Done To Prevent Hypercalcemia From Recurring?

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