High Calcium

An overactive parathyroid gland or glands can result in above-normal levels of calcium in the blood. This condition is called hypercalcemia, or “high calcium,” and it may cause no symptoms but could produce bone pain, cognitive problems, fatigue, nausea and excessive thirst and urination (due to added stress on the kidneys). Left untreated, severe cases of hypercalcemia may result in kidney stones or kidney failure, loss of bone density (osteoporosis) due to calcium being leached from the bones, life-threatening coma and heart irregularities (arrhythmia). Various medications can be used to reduce the calcium in your blood and address the symptoms of hypercalcemia. Surgical intervention usually involves removal of the dysfunctional parathyroid gland.