Too Much Calcium in Blood

The important component that makes up our teeth, nails and the entire skeletal structure is calcium. This essential mineral also helps in regulating muscle contraction as well sending out electric impulses from one nerve to the other. Calcium also helps in absorption of nutrients within the cells. The calcium levels in the body are regulated with the help of a gland called the parathyroid gland. This gland is located near the thyroid gland in the neck. Too much calcium in blood can be attributed to some problem in the secretion of parathyroid hormone. Let us have a look at high calcium in blood causes.

Causes of Hypercalcemia
Too much calcium in blood is known by a medical term called hypercalcemia. When one or more of the four parathyroid glands become overactive, it results in increase in level of calcium in blood. There are two hormones the parathyroid hormone and calcitonin that regulates the level of calcium in blood. When the body produces less of the parathyroid hormones, it results in hypercalcemia. Under normal conditions, the thyroid gland produces calcitonin that lowers the release of calcium from the bones. Thus, helping in balancing the level of calcium in blood due to excess of parathyroid hormones. However, when there is some problem, the body can no longer control the presence of high calcium in blood. Apart from overactive parathyroid glands, other causes include cancer, sarcoidosis, thiazide diuretics and excessive intake of calcium or vitamin D supplements. Sometimes a rare genetic disorder called hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and dehydration are also attributed as hypercalcemia causes.

Symptoms of Hypercalcemia
Most of the time, there are no distinct high calcium in blood symptoms. This is true in case one suffers from mild hypercalcemia. When there is too much calcium in blood, symptoms include the following:

• Appetite loss
• Excessive thirst
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Frequent urination
• Weakness in muscles
• Mental confusion
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Lethargy
• Fatigue
• Gastrointestinal problems like peptic ulcers
• Congestive heart failure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of consciousness

Side Effects of Hypercalcemia
There are many calcium side effects that can affect the overall health of an individual. Some of the high calcium in blood side effects include the following:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Low blood pressure
• Gas formation in stomach, flatulence
• Increase in demand for vitamin D by the body
• Kidney stones
• Prostate cancer
• Depression
• Plaque in arteries
• Calcium toxicity

Treatment of Hypercalcemia
People with increase in calcium levels in blood need to be hospitalized. Treatment for hypercalcemia includes intravenous fluids to reduce dehydration. Loop diuretic medications are given to the patient to flush out the excess calcium in blood. Bone breakdown is inhibited by intake of intravenous bisphosphonates. Glucocorticoids are given to counter the effects of too much vitamin D in the blood. Some patients are advised calcitonin to slow down bone loss. Excess waste and calcium in body is removed with the help of hemodialysis.

This was all about too much calcium in blood. If the doctor observes high calcium symptoms in you, he will advise a blood test. The normal range for calcium in blood is about 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL Hypercalcemia symptoms are observed if the calcium levels are above 10.5 mg/dL. Hope the above information on hypercalcemia has helped you understand this medical problem better.