Hypercalcemia: What It Is and How to Deal With It
High blood calcium, or hypercalcemia, sounds scary but most people can manage it with the right info. Your blood naturally carries calcium for bones, nerves, and muscle work. When the level climbs above 10.5 mg/dL, you start to feel the effects and may need medical help. This guide breaks down the why, the signs, and what you can do to bring calcium back into balance.
What Causes High Blood Calcium?
Several everyday things can push calcium up. The most common culprit is an overactive parathyroid gland (primary hyperparathyroidism). The tiny glands behind your thyroid release too much parathyroid hormone, which tells your bones to release calcium into the bloodstream.
Other reasons include certain cancers (especially lung, breast, and blood cancers) that produce hormone‑like substances, excessive vitamin D supplements, and conditions like sarcoidosis that affect vitamin D metabolism. Even long‑term use of thiazide diuretics or calcium‑rich antacids can add up.
Sometimes dehydration tricks your blood tests, making calcium look higher than it really is. That’s why doctors often repeat the test after you’ve re‑hydrated.
Managing Hypercalcemia: Tests and Treatments
First step is a simple blood draw. Doctors check total calcium, ionized calcium (the active form), and parathyroid hormone levels. If they suspect a hidden cause, they’ll add a urine calcium test, vitamin D levels, and imaging of the parathyroid glands.
Treatment depends on how high your calcium is and whether you have symptoms. Mild cases (just a bit over normal) often improve with more water, a low‑calcium diet, and cutting back on vitamin D supplements. Moderate to severe cases may need medication that blocks bone breakdown, such as bisphosphonates, or a drug called calcitonin that quickly lowers calcium.
In primary hyperparathyroidism, surgery to remove the overactive gland is usually curative. If surgery isn’t an option, doctors can use drugs that mimic calcium‑sensing receptors to keep the gland in check.
While you’re sorting this out, watch for classic symptoms: frequent thirst, extra bathroom trips, stomach cramps, nausea, and a feeling of “foggy” thinking. Severe hypercalcemia can cause muscle weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, and even kidney stones.
Bottom line: don’t ignore a high calcium reading. Stay hydrated, talk to your doctor about repeat tests, and follow the treatment plan they give you. Most people normalize their levels and feel better quickly once the cause is addressed.
