Calcium is an important mineral nutrient that is vital for the health of the bones, muscles, nerves and tissues of the body. Imbalances in the levels of calcium in the blood can cause serious health problems or indicate other diseases, including cancers and kidney failure. The normal levels of calcium in the blood range between 9 and 10.5 mg/dL. Hypercalcemia occurs when there is a higher level of calcium in the blood. This may be due to abnormal parathyroid hormone production, which reabsorbs calcium from the bones. Blood calcium levels are an important health concern and should be assessed by your doctor.
Step 1
Consult your doctor about getting a blood test to check your blood calcium levels. Milder cases of hypercalcemia may not cause noticeable side effects; it is important to get regular checkups to diagnose any calcium imbalances in the body.
Step 2
Increase your water intake by drinking 2 qt. of fluids per day. This can help control mildly raised blood calcium levels by assisting the kidneys in flushing excess amounts out of the body. Include fluids from tea, juice, other beverages and fruit in your daily amount. Walk at least two to three times a day, if your calcium levels are high due to inactivity. Regular physical activity helps the skeletal muscles use calcium to decrease hypercalcemia in the body. It is important, however, to avoid over-hydrating as this can cause a decrease in calcium and other minerals in the body, which can result in a medical emergency.
Step 3
Take prescription medicines that promote urination to flush extra calcium out of the body and to control blood calcium levels, if you have high levels of calcium. These medications, called diuretics, are prescribed by your doctor and should be taken exactly as instructed. If blood calcium levels are higher than 12 mg/dL, you may be given extra fluids and medications intravenously in the hospital.
Step 4
Take a prescribed supplement if your blood calcium levels are low. Check your kidney health and get the adequate treatment as recommended by your doctor. Kidney problems and failure causes low blood calcium levels, which is signified by blood calcium levels below 9 mg/dL, according to the pharmaceutical site Baxter Renal. Medical treatment is important for kidney function and to restore blood calcium levels.
Tips and Warnings
- Severe hypercalcemia can cause symptoms such as frequent thirst, fatigue, nausea, constipation, confusion and muscle pain. Slight variations in blood calcium levels are normal and can be affected by nutrition, dehydration and exercise. Only a blood test can accurately determine whether blood calcium levels are chronically imbalanced and may be due to a disorder.
- Do not take calcium and other supplements, without the consent of your doctor if you have kidney disease or other chronic illnesses. Hypercalcemia actually deteriorates the bones because the kidneys cannot process the excess calcium adequately. Excess levels of blood calcium also contributes to calcification of the arteries and blood vessels leading to plaque and clot formation.
Things You'll Need
- Blood calcium test
- Kidney function test
