Hypercalcemia

Finding out you have high calcium on a blood test can be confusing. You may feel fine and wonder why your calcium is high or what it means for your health.

Hypercalcemia means you have more calcium than normal in your blood. A mild increase may not cause symptoms. Higher levels can affect your bones, kidneys, heart, and other parts of your body.

Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic provides care for hypercalcemia and other hormone-related conditions in San Antonio.

Calcium is a mineral your body needs to work properly. Most of it is stored in your bones and teeth. A small amount travels through your blood.

Your body uses calcium to:

• Help your muscles move
• Send signals through your nerves
• Help your blood clot
• Keep your heart beating normally

Your hormones, kidneys, intestines, vitamin D, and bones all help control the amount of calcium in your blood.

When your blood calcium rises above the normal range, it’s called hypercalcemia.

The normal range can vary slightly from one lab to another. Many labs consider a total calcium level of about 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL normal.

Hypercalcemia may be classified as:

• Mild: 10.5 to 11.9 mg/dL
• Moderate: 12.0 to 13.9 mg/dL
• Severe: 14 mg/dL or higher

A calcium level around 14 mg/dL or higher can be a medical emergency, especially if it rises quickly or causes symptoms.

Your doctor will look at more than one number when deciding what your results mean. Your symptoms, other test results, and the cause of your high calcium also matter.

Mild hypercalcemia may not cause any symptoms. In fact, some people first learn they have high calcium during routine blood work.

As calcium levels rise, you may have:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Constipation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness or tiredness
• Bone pain
• Trouble thinking clearly

Severe hypercalcemia can cause serious symptoms and may need urgent treatment.

High calcium is often found during routine blood work. A basic metabolic panel (BMP) or comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) usually includes a calcium test.

Some calcium in your blood is attached to a protein called albumin. Changes in your albumin level can affect your total calcium result.

If your calcium is high, your doctor may repeat the test or check your ionized calcium. This measures the calcium in your blood that isn’t attached to proteins.

Once your doctor confirms hypercalcemia, the next step is finding out what’s causing it.

Several health conditions, medications, and supplements can raise your calcium level.

Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common cause of high calcium.

The parathyroid glands are small glands in your neck. They make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps control calcium levels.

With primary hyperparathyroidism, one or more glands make too much PTH. This causes the calcium in your blood to rise.

Treatment depends on your calcium level and how the condition affects your body. Some people may need surgery to remove an overactive parathyroid gland.

Cancer

Some cancers can raise blood calcium. Cancer may affect the bones or cause the body to release substances that raise calcium levels.

Cancer-related hypercalcemia can develop quickly and may cause very high calcium levels. Treatment focuses on lowering the calcium and treating the cancer.

Too Much Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from food. Taking very high doses of vitamin D can sometimes cause your body to absorb too much calcium.

Your doctor may check your vitamin D level and review any vitamins or supplements you’re taking.

Medications

Certain medications can raise calcium levels.

Thiazide diuretics used to treat high blood pressure can reduce the amount of calcium you lose in your urine. Lithium can affect how the parathyroid glands control calcium.

Don’t stop taking a prescription medication on your own. Your doctor can check whether a medication may be contributing to your high calcium.

Granulomatous Diseases

Some inflammatory conditions can change the way your body uses vitamin D.

Sarcoidosis is one example. It can increase the amount of active vitamin D in your body, causing you to absorb more calcium. Some infections can have a similar effect.

Blood tests and your medical history can help your doctor find the cause.

Hypercalcemia treatment depends on how high your calcium is and what’s causing it.

If the increase is mild, your doctor may monitor your calcium and treat the condition that’s causing it.

More severe hypercalcemia may require treatment right away. This can include IV fluids to improve hydration and help your kidneys remove calcium. Your doctor may also use medication to lower your calcium level.

The long-term goal is to treat the cause and bring your calcium back to a healthy level.

A high calcium result can raise a lot of questions. The next step is finding out why it’s high and whether you need treatment.

Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic evaluates and treats hypercalcemia and other endocrine conditions in San Antonio. Our team can review your lab results, look for the cause of your high calcium, and recommend the next steps for your care.

Schedule an appointment with Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic in San Antonio to have your high calcium levels evaluated.

1. Can You Have High Calcium Without Symptoms?

Yes. Mild hypercalcemia may cause few or no symptoms. Symptoms are more likely when calcium levels rise higher or increase quickly.

2. Does a High Calcium Result Mean I Have Cancer?

No. Cancer is one possible cause of hypercalcemia, but there are many others. Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common cause of high calcium. Blood tests, including a PTH test, can help your doctor find the cause.

3. When Is High Calcium an Emergency?

A calcium level around 14 mg/dL or higher is considered severe and may need urgent treatment. This is especially true if you have symptoms such as confusion, severe weakness, dehydration, vomiting or changes in alertness.

If you have severe symptoms or have been told your calcium is dangerously high, seek medical care right away.