Hypercalcemia corresponds to an excess of calcium in the blood, in which the amounts of this mineral are greater than 10. 5 mg / dL in the blood test, which may indicate alterations in the parathyroid glands, tumors, endocrine diseases or by the side effects of certain drugs.
This change usually doesn’t cause symptoms or only cause mild symptoms, such as lack of appetite and nausea; However, when calcium levels increase excessively, staying above 12 mg/dL, this can cause symptoms such as constipation, increased urine, drowsiness, fatigue. , headaches, arrhythmias and even coma.
- Treatment of hypercalcemia varies depending on its cause.
- Considering an emergency if it has symptoms or reaches the value of 13 mg / dL.
- To reduce calcium levels.
- Your doctor may indicate the use of serum in a vein and remedies such as diuretics.
- Calcitonin or bisphosphonates.
- For example.
While calcium is a very important mineral for bone health and vital processes of the body, when it is in excess, it can negatively affect the functioning of the body, causing signs such as:
In addition, people with hypercalcemia may also experience symptoms related to neurological changes such as memory loss, depression, easy irritability or confusion, for example.
The main cause of excess calcium in the body is hyperparathyroidism, in which the small parathyroid glands, located behind the thyroid, produce an excess of a hormone that regulates the amount of calcium in the blood. However, hypercalcemia can also occur as a result of other situations, such as:
Malignant hypercalcemia occurs due to the production of a hormone similar to parathyroid hormone by tumor cells, causing severe hypercalcemia that is difficult to treat. Another form of hypercalcemia in cancer occurs due to bone damage caused by bone metastases.
Diagnosis of hypercalcemia can be confirmed by a blood test, which detects total calcium values greater than 10. 5 mg/dL or ion calcium greater than 5. 3 mg/dL, according to the laboratory conducted.
After confirming this change, your doctor should order tests to identify its cause, including measuring the PTH hormone produced by the parathyroid glands, imaging tests such as tomography or MRI to investigate cancer, as well as evaluating vitamin D levels. kidney function or the presence of other endocrinological diseases.
Treatment of hypercalcemia is usually indicated by the endocrinologist, performed mainly according to its cause, which includes the use of drugs to control hormone levels, the exchange of drugs by others that do not have hypercalcemia as a side effect or surgery to remove tumors that can cause excess calcium, if this is the cause.
Treatment is not done urgently, except in cases of symptoms or when calcemia reaches 13. 5 mg / dL, which is a significant health risk.
Your doctor may prescribe hydration in your vein, diuretics of the cove, such as furosemide, calcitonin or bisphosphonates, to try to reduce calcium levels and prevent changes in your heart rate or damage to your nervous system.
Surgery to treat hypercalcemia is only used when the cause of the problem is dysfunction of one of the parathyroid glands and it is recommended to remove it.