Hypercalcaemia | |
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Synonyms | Hypercalcemia |
Calcium within the periodic table | |
Specialty | Endocrinology |
Symptoms | Abdominal pain, bone pain, confusion, depression, weakness |
Complications | Kidney stones, abnormal heart rhythm, cardiac arrest |
Causes | Primary hyperparathyroidism, cancer, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, Paget disease, multiple endocrine neoplasia, vitamin D toxicity |
Diagnostic method | Blood serum level > 2.6 mmol/L (corrected calcium or ionized calcium) |
Treatment | Underlying cause, intravenous fluids, furosemide, calcitonin, pamidronate, hemodialysis |
Frequency | 4 per 1,000 |
Classification | |
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External resources |
Hypercalcaemia, also spelled hypercalcemia, is a high calcium (Ca2+) level in the blood serum. The normal range is 2.1–2.6 mmol/L (8.8–10.7 mg/dL, 4.3–5.2 mEq/L) with levels greater than 2.6 mmol/L defined as hypercalcemia. Those with a mild increase that has developed slowly typically have no symptoms. In those with greater levels or rapid onset, symptoms may include abdominal pain, bone pain, confusion, depression, weakness, kidney stones, or an abnormal heart rhythm including cardiac arrest.
Most cases are due to primary hyperparathyroidism or cancer. Other causes include sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, Paget disease, multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN), vitamin D toxicity, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia, and certain medications such as lithium and hydrochlorothiazide. Diagnosis should generally include either a corrected calcium or ionized calcium level and be confirmed after a week. Specific changes, such as a shortened QT interval, may be seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG).