The doctor may offer treatments to help lower calcium levels and prevent complications. Possible treatments include intravenous fluids and medications such as calcitonin or bisphosphonates. If overactive parathyroid glands, too much vitamin D, or another health condition is causing hypercalcemia, the doctor will also treat these underlying conditions.
Certain lifestyle changes can help to keep calcium levels balanced and bones healthy. These include:. Mild hypercalcemia may not require treatment. If the condition is more serious, a doctor may prescribe medications that lower levels of calcium and treat the underlying cause.
The nutrients in milk can help maintain bone, brain, and heart health, but some people either choose not to drink it or cannot tolerate it.
Learn more…. New calcium tests are understood to be able to accurately determine if a patient needs to be prescribed anticholesterol drugs known as statins, which…. Learn all about hyperphosphatemia, when levels of phosphate in the blood are too high. We examine the symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
A new study presented at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston reveals that calcium and vitamin D supplements are linked to high…. Calcium is an essential mineral, and having too little can cause wide-ranging health issues over time. Learn more about this deficiency, hypocalcemia…. What happens when calcium levels are high?
Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. What is hypercalcemia? Symptoms Causes Complications Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Outlook The term hypercalcemia refers to having too much calcium in the blood. Share on Pinterest The parathyroid gland controls calcium levels in the blood. Share on Pinterest Hypercalcemia may be associated with osteoporosis.
Share on Pinterest A doctor may order a blood test to check blood calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?
Related Coverage. Health benefits and risks of consuming milk. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. Calcium Tests Necessary? Once hypercalcemia is detected, additional testing may be needed to determine the cause. Additional blood tests and urine tests may be done.
A chest x-ray may also be needed to look for cancer or a lung disorder that can cause hypercalcemia. Genetic testing may be done when doctors are looking for a hereditary cause. Fluids and drugs to increase excretion of calcium. When hypercalcemia is not severe, correcting the cause is often sufficient. If people have mild hypercalcemia or conditions that can cause hypercalcemia and if their kidney function is normal, they are usually advised to drink plenty of fluids.
Fluids stimulate the kidneys to excrete calcium and help prevent dehydration. Doctors may advise people to take mineral supplements containing phosphate, which helps prevent calcium absorption.
If the calcium level is very high or if symptoms of brain dysfunction or muscle weakness appear, fluids and diuretics are given by vein intravenously as long as kidney function is normal. Dialysis Dialysis Dialysis is an artificial process for removing waste products and excess fluids from the body, a process that is needed when the kidneys are not functioning properly. There are a number of reasons Several other drugs including bisphosphonates, calcitonin , corticosteroids, and, rarely, plicamycin can be used to treat hypercalcemia.
These drugs work primarily by slowing the release of calcium from bone. Hypercalcemia caused by cancer is particularly difficult to treat. Sometimes a drug called denosumab is helpful. If the cancer cannot be controlled, hypercalcemia usually returns despite the best treatment. Merck and Co. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Manual was first published in as a service to the community.
Learn more about our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Common Health Topics. Hyperparathyroidism Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia. Electrolyte Balance. Test your knowledge. Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low level of sugar glucose in the blood. People with which of the following conditions are most likely to develop hypoglycemia?
More Content. Causes of hypercalcemia include the following:. Did You Know Was This Page Helpful? Yes No. Hypocalcemia Low Level of Calcium in the Blood. Overview of Calcium's Role in the Body.
Hypercalcemia is usually a result of overactive parathyroid glands. These four tiny glands are situated in the neck, near the thyroid gland. 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. 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:. Contact your doctor if you develop signs and symptoms that might indicate hypercalcemia, such as being extremely thirsty, urinating frequently and having abdominal pain. Besides building strong bones and teeth, calcium helps muscles contract and nerves transmit signals. Normally, if there isn't enough calcium in your blood, your parathyroid glands secrete a hormone that triggers:.
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