Most of the calcium in your body is stored in your bones and teeth, but some of it circulates in your bloodstream too. When your serum calcium levels are abnormally high, you are experiencing a condition referred to as hypercalcemia. In some cases you may have little or no symptoms as a result of high calcium levels in your blood, but severe hypercalcemia can cause a number of serious complications.
Effects of Hypercalcemia
High calcium levels can result in a number of biological repercussions, ranging from minor irritations to fatal complications. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, mild hypercalcemia can cause appetite loss, constipation, dry mouth and nausea. More severe forms of the condition can produce serious problems, including confusion, delirium, coma and even death. Having abnormally high calcium levels in your blood can also cause kidney failure, soft tissue calcifications and kidney stones.
Hormones and Hypercalcemia
Normally, the concentration of calcium in your bloodstream is highly regulated by two key hormones called parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. Parathyroid hormone stimulates the release of calcium from your bones and into your bloodstream. It also increases dietary calcium absorption and decreases calcium excretion. All of these effects combined keep your blood calcium levels at appropriately high levels. Calcitonin has the opposite effect. It decreases the release of calcium from your bones and helps to keep calcium levels from growing too high. If you have an underlying condition that affects these hormones, your blood calcium levels may also be subject to change.
Causes of Hypercalcemia
A number of underlying conditions can affect the parathyroid hormone and calcitonin and subsequently, alter the levels of calcium in your blood. According to Mayo Clinic, these include cancer, primary hyperparathyroidism and the rare genetic disease known as familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia. The use of certain medications such as lithium or thiazide diuretics can also increase calcium levels in your bloodstream.
Considerations
In most cases, dietary calcium from food is not at fault in causing hypercalcemia. As the Office of Dietary Supplements states, excess intake of calcium is far more likely among those taking calcium supplements. A daily allowance of 1,000 mg is recommended for most adults, while the tolerable upper intake level for this mineral is 2,500 mg.
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