Most people know that calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, but calcium is also vital for nerves, heart and muscle function throughout the body. Calcium is the most plentiful mineral in the body, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. With calcium being so vital to the body, it is difficult to believe that there is such a thing as too much calcium. Yet excess calcium can cause dangerous complications.
Calcium
The majority of calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, but calcium also resides in the blood and in the cells of the muscles. Calcium is necessary for muscle contractions and brain and nerve function. Two hormones in the body control the amount of calcium in the blood; parathyroid and calcitonin. When calcium in the blood decreases, the body produces parathyroid hormone. When calcium levels rise too high, the thyroid gland produces calcitonin, slowing the release of calcium from the bones. MayoClinic.com explains that hypercalcemia often results when disease or illness causes one of these hormones to malfunction.
Hypercalcemia
Hypercalcemia means that there is an excessive level of calcium in the blood. The main cause of hypercalcemia occurs due to overactive parathyroid glands. Hypercalcemia interferes with normal functioning of the muscles, nerves and brain function, which can lead to life-threatening complications.
Symptoms
High levels of calcium production can cause problems with all systems of the body. Excess calcium levels can cause abdominal symptoms such as constipation, nausea, poor appetite, vomiting and pain. High calcium levels can cause kidney problems such as frequent thirst, frequent urination and flank pain. People may experience muscle twitches and weakness, apathy, dementia, depression, irritability and memory loss. Calcium plays a large role in the skeletal system; too much calcium often leads to bone pain, fractures, loss of height, bowing of the shoulders and curvature of the spinal column, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Causes
Many conditions can cause an increase in production of calcium in the blood. Primary hyperparathyroidism as well as certain types of cancer, such as breast, lung or multiple myeloma cancer, can increase the risk for hypercalcemia. Often, these cancerous tumors produce a protein that the body interprets as parathyroid hormone, causing a release of calcium from the bones. When this occurs, it is known as paraneoplastic syndrome, meaning that it's the body's response to cancer or a cancer-producing substance.
Granulomatous diseases are diseases that cause inflammation due to tissue injury, known as granulomas. Granulomas cause an increase in levels of vitamin D, which can result in elevated calcium. Granulomatous diseases include infectious lung disease, sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. Certain medications such as lithium, used to treat bipolar disorder, and certain diuretics can cause elevated serum calcium levels.
Treatments
Treatment of hypercalcemia often involves treating the underlying illness affecting the parathyroid gland. In some cases, physicians may recommend surgical removal of all or part of the parathyroid gland to resolve the increased calcium level. If the hypercalcemia is mild, physicians may choose to monitor the calcium levels closely. Severe hypercalcemia requires administration of calcitonin, dialysis to clear excess calcium from the blood, diuretic medications, intravenous fluids and glucocorticoids, according to "The New York Time" Health Guide.
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