What is hypercalcemia?

Browse By

Hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood) is a condition in which the amount of calcium in the blood is increased. It can be caused by primary hyperparathyroidism, certain cancers, high vitamin D levels, certain diseases, or certain medications. Treatment for hypercalcemia includes medication or surgery.

Calcium is an important mineral for the body. 99% is use to build bones and teeth. The other 1% is in the blood. The body cannot synthesize calcium on its own, so it must receive it from food that has been digest and absorbed in the small intestine. Only 20-25% can be absorb. The rest is excret from the body through feces.

Calcium in the blood controls the functioning of various organs, such as muscle contraction and heart beat. The functioning of the nervous system, which normally the body will produce many hormones to control the balance of calcium in the blood to be appropriate. Seeing the various functions like this, of course if there is an abnormal amount of calcium in the blood, สมัคร ufabet, even just a little bit, it is certainly a threat to health.

Causes of high blood calcium

  • Sleeping or not moving the body will dissolve calcium, causing high blood calcium levels.
  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Getting too much calcium from drinking milk and taking antacids that contain calcium.
  • People who take vitamin supplements, if the vitamin contains too much vitamin D, it will cause high blood calcium levels.
  • Cancers such as lung cancer, kidney cancer, and ovarian cancer create proteins similar to the hormones produced by the parathyroid gland, causing high levels of calcium in the blood. In addition, calcium can spread to the bones, causing high levels of calcium in the blood.
  • Bone Disease: Some bone diseases or bone fractures cause the body to rush calcium into the bloodstream, causing high levels of calcium in the blood.
  • People who have a disease that requires them to stay in bed, such as paralysis, their bodies will dissolve their bones, causing high levels of calcium in their blood.

Symptoms of hypercalcemia: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, thirst, frequent urination, muscle weakness, fatigue, confusion, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, and thin, easily fractured bones.

What is an abnormal blood calcium level?

  • Mild hypercalcemia : Blood calcium levels are 10.6 – 11.9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
  • Moderate hypercalcemia : Blood calcium levels are 12.0 – 13.9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
  • Severe hypercalcemia : Blood calcium is greater than 14.0 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Hypercalcemia is often detect early, so the chances of complications are very low. However, possible complications include calcium deposits in the kidneys (nephrocalcinosis), which affects kidney function, kidney failure, kidney stones, high blood pressure, bone cysts, fractures, osteoporosis, and depression.