High Calcium levels - Medtick

High Calcium levels

What is it?

Hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels in their blood) and is mainly caused by hyperparathyroidism (mild calcium levels normally condition is long term) and/or malignancy (cancer) (rapid rise of calcium levels) and/or insufficient calcium excretion from the kidneys.

Hypercalcemia may be classified based on total serum and ionized calcium levels, as follows:

  • Mild: Total Ca 10.5-11.9 mg/dL (2.5-3 mmol/L) or Ionized Ca 5.6-8 mg/dL (1.4-2 mmol/L)
  • Moderate: Total Ca 12-13.9 mg/dL (3-3.5 mmol/L) or Ionized Ca 8-10 mg/dL (2-2.5 mmol/L)
  • Hypercalcemic crisis: Total Ca 14-16 mg/dL (3.5-4 mmol/L) or Ionized Ca 10-12 mg/dL (2.5-3 mmol/L)

  • Only 1-2% of total body calcium is in the exchangeable form in circulation, and the rest forms part of the skeleton.
  • Only one half of the exchangeable calcium is in the active ionized form with the remainder bound to albumin, globulin, and other inorganic molecules.
  • Because calcium binds to albumin and only the unbound (free or ionized) calcium is biologically active, the serum level must be adjusted for abnormal albumin levels.
  • Protein binding of calcium is influenced by pH with metabolic acidosis leading to increased ionized calcium from reduced protein binding, and alkalosis leading to reduced ionized calcium from increased protein binding.

Medscape

Symptoms are based upon:

  • The level of calcium in the blood (mild levels usually show no symptoms).
  • How fast the rise occurs
  • Reoccurring medical conditions.

Serum calcium levels greater than approximately 15 mg/dL usually are considered to be a medical emergency and must be treated aggressively.

Cause

Vitamins, herbals and minerals

Medications

Symptoms

  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Increase thirst, heavy sweating and need to urinate frequently?
  • Dehydration?
  • Heart palpitations and/or irregular heartbeats?
  • One find passing stools difficult (can be painful) and constipated?
  • Sickness and nausea feeling?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Long term persistent indigestion and/or frequent heartburn and/or constant abdominal pain and swelling?
  • Loss of appetite?
  • Confusion?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Twitching one’s nose and/or face and arms and/or legs?
  • Bone pain?
  • Irritated depressed and anxiety?
  • Low mood and Depression?
  • Difficult to concentrate and/or difficulty in concentrating and/or memory problems?
  • Hallucination?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

  • If one has symptoms of high level calcium and have cancer
  • Long QT syndrome
  • Severe confusion and lethargy

This condition can lead to:


This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: High Calcium levels in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

    Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).

  • Medscape

    Latest medical news and expert commentary in your specialty as well as disease information.

  • Pharmaceutical Journal

    The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.

  • Healthline

    Medical Information and health advice you can trust

  • ChatGPT

    Get instant answers, find creative inspiration, and learn something new.

  • Medical News Today

    Medical news and health news headlines posted throughout the day, every day.

  • WebMD

    Better Information. Better Health.

  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

    No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)

  • Drugs.com

    Know more. Be sure.

  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

    Know more. Fell better.

  • Fit for Travel

    Information on how to stay safe and healthy abroad.

  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies