Numerous factors can cause excessive calcium in the body. Calcium enters the body when a person consumes milk, cheese and leafy green vegetables. According to MayoClinic.com, the body stores calcium in the bones, certain cells and the blood. In most cases, a person's body is able to self-regulate the amount of calcium in the blood. However, certain medical conditions may cause a significant increase in blood calcium levels.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a medical condition that can cause excessive amounts of calcium in the body. According to the Cleveland Clinic -- one of the top four hospitals in the United States -- multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that resides in the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma targets the skeleton in almost all patients, and most patients with this condition experience extensive bone destruction. In some cases, a person will also experience hypercalcemia, or too much calcium in the blood. MayoClinic.com states that possible signs and symptoms associated with multiple myeloma include high levels of calcium in the blood, abnormal proteins in the urine and blood, excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, lower extremity weakness and bone pain, especially in the skull, back, ribs and pelvis.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Primary hyperparathyroidism is a medical condition that can cause calcium to accumulate in the body. The MedlinePlus website states that primary hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which a person's parathyroid glands -- four small glands in the neck, near the thyroid gland -- generate too much parathyroid hormone. Increased production of parathyroid hormone, also known as parathormone, causes calcium to be stripped from bones, which raises calcium levels in the blood. Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs when one or more of the parathyroid glands swells, or enlarges. Common signs and symptoms associated with primary hyperparathyroidism include increased blood calcium levels, decreased height, depression, fracture, fatigue, increased urination, kidney stones, decreased appetite, muscle weakness, upper abdominal pain, nausea, personality changes and, in some cases, coma.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer may cause increased calcium in the body. According to Cancer.net, cancers that commonly metastasize, or spread, to the bone, including breast cancer, cause bone to break down, releasing significant amounts of calcium into the blood. Certain risk factors may increase a person's likelihood of developing breast cancer, including being female, advanced age, a personal or family history of breast cancer, certain genome changes, increased breast density, being overweight, lack of physical activity, consuming large amounts of alcohol and radiation therapy to the chest. The National Cancer Institute, or NCI, states that possible signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer include increased calcium in the blood, a lump or thickening of the breast or underarm tissue and changes in the size or shape of the breast. Other possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer include dimpling of the breast skin, an inward-turned nipple, fluid discharge from the nipple and scaly, red skin on the breast, nipple or areola -- the dark area around the nipple.
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