Hypercalcaemia

Hypercalcaemia is an elevated calcium level in the blood. It can be an asymptomatic laboratory finding, but because an elevated calcium level is often a clue to other serious disease, a diagnosis should be undertaken if it persists.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Hypercalcemia per se can result in fatigue, depression, confusion, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or increased urination; if it is chronic it can result in urinary calculi (renal stones or bladder stones). Abnormal heart rhythms can result, and an EKG finding of a short QT interval suggests hypercalcemia. Symptoms are more common at high calcium levels (12.0 mg/dL or 3 mmol/l). Severe hypercalcemia (above 15-16 mg/dL or 3.75-4 mmol/l) is considered a medical emergency: at these levels, coma and cardiac arrest can result.

Causes

Treatments

Definitive treatment is directed at the underlying cause. Emergency treatment consists of intravenous hydration, increased salt intake, use of diuretics, and in extreme cases such drugs as biphosphonates or calcitonin.

See also

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