What is it about ?
Calcium is an essential element for, among other things, bone building. The calcium content in the blood is regulated by an interaction between
- Parathyroid hormone (hormone produced by the parathyroid glands),;
- Calcitonin (hormone produced by the thyroid gland);
- Phosphate;
- Vitamin D.
The balance between these substances ensures the balance of calcium metabolism.
When the level of calcium is too high in the blood, it is called hypercalcemia. This can be caused by
- Increased activity of the parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism). The parathyroid glands are located behind the thyroid. They produce a hormone, parathyroid hormone or HPT, which regulates the level of calcium in the body. In the presence of a large amount of HPT, the calcium content in the blood increases, while with little HPT it decreases. In this way, the level of calcium in the blood is kept at a constant level. In hyperparathyroidism, these glands produce too much parathyroid hormone (HPT).
- The pathology can appear without a disease being the cause: this is called primary hyperparathyroidism.
- Otherwise, an underlying condition causes a low calcium levels. The parathyroids then react and increase the production of HPT (to increase the level of calcium in the blood). This situation arises, for example, in the case of chronic kidney disease or in the presence of chronic vitamin D deficiency. This is called secondary hyperparathyroidism.
- An immobilization;
- Acute renal failure;
- Too much vitamin D intake;
- Cancer affecting the bone;
- A overactive thyroid ;
- Systemic diseases;
- Side effects of diuretic drugs.
What is its frequency?
Hypercalcemia is quite rare. Primary hyperparathyroidism affects more than one percent (1%) of women going through menopause. The secondary form is more common in certain groups of patients, such as those with chronic kidney disease or cancer. About 20% of people with bone cancer, 10-15% of cancer of the lung or kidneys, and 10 to 30% of cancer of the blood or bone marrow have too much calcium.
How to recognize them?
The severity of complaints ranges from the complete absence of symptoms to severe symptoms, such as kidney failure and heart rhythm disturbances.
A high level of calcium in the blood is often discovered by chance during a routine blood test. It can cause a variety of symptoms and conditions:
- tired, loss of appetite ;
- nauseaconstipation abdominal pain, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis ;
- calculations kidney and urinary, increased sensation of thirst, abnormally frequent need to urinate (polyuria), signs of dehydration, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity;
- joint pain and bone pain, spontaneous fractures;
- increased tension, heart rhythm disturbances ;
- loss of concentration, tendency to depression, signs of dementia, confusion.
How is the diagnosis made?
A blood test makes it possible to determine the concentration of calcium and HPT and therefore allows the doctor to make a diagnosis. If another underlying condition is suspected, further testing will need to be done.
What can you do ?
Drink plenty of water in case of hypercalcemia, as too much calcium can lead to the development of kidney stones and damage the kidneys. You should definitely not take vitamin D supplements on your own. They can sometimes make hypercalcemia worse.
What can your doctor do?
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the hypercalcemia. If you are dehydrated, your doctor will give you saline solution. If necessary, the calcium concentration will be lowered with the help of medication. A specialist takes care of the treatment.
In case of primary hyperparathyroidism, surgery is the only solution. The operation involves removing the parathyroid glands. If the intervention is not possible, the doctor must carefully monitor the development of the calcium concentration in the blood. He will also perform regular bone density measurements to check for possible osteoporosis at an early stage.
With secondary hyperparathyroidism, the underlying cause will need to be treated first. If you have for example a too low vitamin D levels, the doctor will prescribe a vitamin D supplement.
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