When we think of calcium, we think of strong bones and healthy teeth, right? Calcium is actually an essential nutrient for our body. But did you know that, like too much of anything, too much calcium in our blood can also cause a number of health problems? In most cases, this condition can be present without any symptoms in the early stages. Today, we will talk about this increase in calcium in the blood, or as it is medically called, hypercalcemia.
Why does calcium in the blood increase like this?
Normally, our bodies are very good at controlling the amount of calcium in our blood. Several hormones help with this. However, there are more than 25 reasons, such as certain diseases, medications, kidney problems, or dehydration, that can cause this control to be lost and our blood calcium levels to rise. Let's look at some of the main reasons.
Increased activity of the parathyroid glands (Hyperparathyroidism)
This is
the main and most common cause of high blood calcium. In fact, this is the cause of about 90% of cases of `Hypercalcemia`. Behind the thyroid gland in our neck are four small, bone-like glands, which we call the parathyroid glands. These secrete the parathyroid hormone `(Parathyroid Hormone - PTH).` This hormone helps control the level of calcium in the blood. In `Hyperparathyroidism`, one or more of these glands become overactive and continue to produce `PTH` hormone without checking how much calcium is in the blood. Then the calcium level in the blood increases abnormally. This condition is especially common among postmenopausal women.
Some medications you take
Some medications and nutritional supplements you take can also cause calcium levels in your blood to increase.
| Drug/Supplement Type | Description |
|---|
| Hydrochlorothiazide | A diuretic pill used for high blood pressure and swelling in the body. |
| Lithium | A medication used to treat certain mental illnesses. |
| Vitamin A and Vitamin D | Taking too much of these (Hypervitaminosis D) can increase calcium levels. |
| Calcium supplements and antacids | Excessive intake of calcium pills and some medications used for gastritis (such as Tums, Rolaids). |
Cancer
Some types of lung, breast, or blood cancers can also cause high blood calcium levels. This can be due to the spread of cancer cells to the bones (bone metastases) or to hormones produced by some types of cancer.
Other less common causes
What are the symptoms of this?
If you have mild hypercalcemia, you may not have any symptoms. But when the condition becomes severe, it can affect many parts of your body. Be on the lookout for these symptoms.
- Frequent urination
- Feeling unusually thirsty
- Fatigue and weakness in the body
- Bone pain
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Appetite
- Muscle pain, stiffness, or twitching
- Forgetfulness and mental confusion
- Depression and crankiness
If you continue to have one or more of these symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor about them.
What are the complications caused by increased calcium?
Prolonged high levels of calcium in the blood can cause several serious health problems.
- Osteoporosis: In conditions like hyperparathyroidism, large amounts of calcium are released from the bones into the blood. This causes the bones to become thin, weak, and easily broken. This is called osteoporosis.
- Kidney stones: When the amount of calcium in the urine increases, it can collect and form small stones inside the kidneys. These stones can cause severe pain as they travel down the urinary tract.
- Kidney failure: High calcium levels directly affect the functioning of the kidneys. This can reduce their ability to purify the blood and remove waste, and can even lead to kidney failure.
- Effects on brain function: Increased calcium in the blood can affect the nervous system, and it is thought that it can affect memory. It can cause conditions such as confusion, dementia, and in severe cases, even coma.
- Heart disease: Abnormally high calcium levels can disrupt the heart's electrical signals, causing irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia).
How does a doctor find this?
Because there are often no obvious symptoms, this condition is discovered incidentally during a blood test that you are having for another reason. If your doctor suspects the symptoms, he or she will order a blood test to check your calcium levels. This blood test can also check your parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. This can easily help diagnose hyperparathyroidism. In addition, the following tests may be done to find the cause:
- Blood test to check vitamin D levels
- Bone density test
- An ultrasound scan to check for kidney stones
- A urine sample can be tested to see how much calcium is excreted in the urine and how well the kidneys are functioning.
If another cause, such as cancer, is suspected, the doctor may also order imaging tests such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.
How is it treated?
The treatment plan will depend on the severity of your hypercalcemia and its cause.
If the condition is mild (Mild Hypercalcemia): Your doctor may decide not to treat you, but to monitor your calcium levels regularly. He or she may also recommend the following:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stop or change some medications you are taking, such as diuretics.
- Stop taking antacid tablets that contain calcium.
- Stop taking calcium supplements.
If the condition is severe (Severe Hypercalcemia): In this case, you may need to resort to medication or surgery.
- Medications: Your doctor may prescribe medications such as `Cinacalcet (Sensipar),` the hormone `Calcitonin` obtained from salmon, steroids such as `Prednisone` for conditions caused by increased vitamin D, and `Bisphosphonates` and `Denosumab (Prolia, Xgeva)` for bone weakness caused by cancer.
- Surgery: If your hypercalcemia is caused by overactive parathyroid glands, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of the affected gland or glands.
A few more things you should know
Your health status in the case of `Hypercalcemia` depends on the severity of the disease and its underlying cause. If the condition is mild, there may be no other complications. You can manage your calcium levels by following your doctor's instructions. However, if the condition is severe, a treatment plan will be developed based on the cause. If the cause is cancer, you may need to be hospitalized for intravenous fluids (IV fluids) and other treatments. While `Hypercalcemia`, which is caused by other medical conditions such as cancer, cannot be prevented, there are several things you can do to control the calcium levels in your blood.
- If anyone in your family has a history of hyperparathyroidism, kidney stones, or high calcium levels, inform your doctor about it.
- Never take calcium supplements or calcium-rich antacids without consulting a doctor .
- Always consult a doctor before taking vitamins, minerals, or any other supplements.
Take-Home Message
- Hypercalcemia is an elevated level of calcium in the blood. In most cases, there are no obvious symptoms in the early stages.
- The main cause of this is hyperparathyroidism, but it can also be caused by certain medications and conditions such as cancer.
- If you experience symptoms such as frequent thirst, frequent urination, weakness, and bone pain, see a doctor immediately.
- Never take calcium or vitamin D supplements without medical advice.
- The treatment method depends on the severity of the disease and the underlying medical condition causing it.
Hypercalcemia, calcium, high calcium, calcium in the blood, parathyroid, kidney stones, bone pain
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment