Hypercalcemia (high level of calcium in the blood)

[GarryDrold]

In hypercalcemia, the level of calcium in blood is too high.

A high calcium level may result from a problem with the parathyroid glands, as well as from diet, cancer, or disorders affecting bone.
At first, people have digestive problems, feel thirsty, and may urinate a lot, but if severe, hypercalcemia leads to confusion and eventually coma. If not recognized and treated, the disorder can be life threatening.
Usually, hypercalcemia is detected by routine blood tests.
Drinking lots of fluids may be sufficient, but diuretics may increase calcium excretion, and drugs can be used to slow the release of calcium from bone if needed.

(See also Overview of Electrolytes and Overview of Calcium