How much Calcium is too much?

Calcium is a very important mineral for the body. It is necessary for the function of nearly every cell in the body. However, too much calcium (hypercalcemia) is bad for the body and can kill cells or interfere with their normal function. Too little calcium (hypocalcemia) is also a problem. Therefore, the body tightly controls the calcium level, keeping it in a narrow range of approximately 8.5-10.5 mg/dL.

Why is too much calcium bad? There are several reasons why too much calcium is bad, and several symptoms result from a calcium level that is too high. Our bones contain a high amount of calcium, and calcium is one of the minerals that give bones their strength. One of the ways the calcium level in the blood is increased is through removal of calcium from the bones. Therefore, elevated calcium levels in the blood mean reduced calcium levels in the bones. This results in osteopenia or osteoporosis ("brittle bones") and a high risk of fracture. An elevated calcium level cause many other problems such as kidney stones, abdominal pains, peptic ulcers, constipation, muscle weakness, memory loss, and confusion. Too much calcium can also interfere with the function of the heart, causing high blood pressure and weakened heart muscle (congestive heart failure). It is obvious from this list of symptoms and complications, that too much calcium is a serious problem and requires a full evaluation by a physician.

What causes too much calcium? There are several causes of too much calcium. The most common cause in the general population is hyperparathyroidism. The parathyroid glands are small glands located in the neck close to the thyroid gland that regulate the amount of calcium in the body. There are normally 4 parathyroid glands, although people may have more or fewer. In some people, the body looses the ability to control one or more of these glands. That gland then keeps producing parathyroid hormone, raising the calcium levels too high. Another possible cause of too much calcium is kidney disease, because the kidneys are responsible for filtering the blood and removing excess substances. Some types of cancer can also cause elevated calcium level in the blood. All conditions that increase calcium require thorough evaluation and treatment by a physician.