What is hypercalcemia?
Hypercalcemia is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is above normal.
Too much calcium in your blood can weaken your bones, create kidney stones, and interfere with how your heart and brain work.
Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. Other causes of hypercalcemia include cancer, certain other medical disorders, some medications, and taking too much of calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia range from nonexistent to severe. Treatment depends on the cause.
Symptoms
You might not have signs or symptoms if your hypercalcemia is mild. More-severe cases produce signs and symptoms related to the parts of your body affected by the high calcium levels in your blood. Examples include:
Kidneys
Excess calcium makes your kidneys work harder to filter it. This can cause excessive thirst and frequent urination.
Digestive system
Hypercalcemia can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
Bones and muscles
In most cases, the excess calcium in your blood was leached from your bones, which weakens them. This can cause bone pain and muscle weakness.
Brain
Hypercalcemia can interfere with how your brain works, resulting in confusion, lethargy and fatigue. It can also cause depression.
Heart
Rarely, severe hypercalcemia can interfere with your heart function, causing palpitations and fainting, indications of cardiac arrhythmia, and other heart problems.
Causes
Hypercalcemia is caused by:
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Lung cancer and breast cancer
- Tuberculosis and sarcoidosis
- Immobility. People who have a condition that causes them to spend a lot of time sitting or lying down can develop hypercalcemia.
- Severe dehydratation
- Hereditary factors. A rare genetic disorder known as familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia
- Medications
- Supplements (calcium or vitamin D)
Complications
Hypercalcemia complications can include:
- Osteoporosis.
- Kidney stones.
- Kidney failure.
- Nervous system problems.
- Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypercalcemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355523
