Calcium is an essential nutrient for healthy teeth and bones. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, it is also necessary for hormonal and enzyme secretion, blood vessel expansion and contraction, muscle contraction and transmittal of impulses throughout the nervous system. However, high calcium levels in the blood results in a condition called hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is primarily caused by overactivity of one or more of the parathyroid glands that regulate calcium level. It can also be caused by overtaking calcium and vitamin D supplements. Hypercalcemia can lead to a variety of health issues.
Kidney Problems
High levels of calcium in the urine can result in the formation of crystals in the kidneys, according to the Mayo Clinic. These crystals eventually combine and form kidney stones. Kidney stones can cause serious kidney damage, and they are extremely painful to pass. Severe hypercalcemia prevents the kidneys from efficiently removing waste from the blood and causes major kidney damage that can result in end-stage renal disease.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs as a result of too much calcium going into the blood and too little calcium going to the bones. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become brittle and easily fracture, curvature of the spine and a decrease in height.
Heart Arrhythmia
According to the Mayo Clinic, hypercalcemia affects the electrical impulses that control heartbeat, resulting in an irregular heartbeat. High calcium levels can also weaken the heart muscle and cause heart failure, as well as high blood pressure.
Nervous System
Severe hypercalcemia disrupts normal function of the nervous system, leading to dementia, confusion and coma, the last of which can be potentially fatal, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Other Effects
Other symptoms of hypercalcemia include constipation, memory loss, muscle weakness and peptic ulcers. According to the Mayo Clinic, persons suffering from hypercalcemia may also experience excessive thirst, abdominal pain, frequent urination, loss of appetite, achy muscles and joints, fatigue and lethargy. Some of these symptoms may be due to other conditions. A person experiencing any of these symptoms, especially excessive thirst, frequent urination and stomach pain, should seek immediate medical attention.
Treatment
Mild hypercalcemia may be medically monitored to see if the bones and kidneys remain healthy over time. Surgery may be required to remove the affected parathyroid gland if there is a presence of kidney stones or bone mass loss. According to the Mayo Clinic, treatment options for more severe cases of hypercalcemia include administering intravenous fluids, prescribing loop diuretics to flush excess calcium from the body, corticosteroids to counteract effects of excessive vitamin D due to hypercalcemia or intravenous bisphosphonates to prevent breakdown of the bones. If a person is unresponsive to other treatment options or his kidneys are too damaged, hemodialysis is performed to remove waste and calcium from the blood.
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