Hypercalcemia
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Hypercalcemia
Hypercalcemia is an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood. It can be caused by high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and may occur in hyperparathyroidism, chronic kidney disease, or following kidney dialysis or kidney transplant.
Hypercalcemia can also develop without high levels of PTH. This occurs in vitamin D overdose, prolonged periods of bed rest or immobilization, hyperthyroidism, multiple myeloma, and involvement of the bones by other cancers.
Symptoms of hypercalcemia include dehydration, confusion, and extreme tiredness. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and constipation occur when symptoms of hypercalcemia involve the gastrointestinal tract.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology |
| Last Updated | November 13, 2007 |
| Last updated: | November 13, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jeannette Curtis |
| Reviewed By: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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