Symptoms of Too Much Calcium

Calcium plays an important role in several bodily functions, making symptoms of hypercalcaemia, or too much calcium in the body, difficult to detect. Symptoms are often misdiagnosed as features of other conditions.

Causes

Hyperthyroidism causes 90 percent of hypercalcaemia cases, with the rest attributable to excessive calcium intake and endocrine disorders like Addison's disease, according to virtualcancercentre.com. Nearly 20 percent of cancer patients and 40 percent of myeloma patients are at risk for hypercalcaemia.

Effects

Noticeable symptoms of hypercalcaemia include dehydration, frequent urination, constipation, confusion, fatigue, and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting can make dehydration worse.

Considerations

Certain symptoms can only be detected by a physician. Among these are high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, and kidney stones.

Warnings

Untreated hypercalcaemia has serious consequences, including seizures, renal failure, coma, and death. Spasms and seizures can last for days after calcium levels return to normal, especially in the elderly.

Misconceptions

Although calcium is known for strengthening teeth and bones, too much calcium can lead to bone pain. Excess calcium attacks the nervous system, triggering pain throughout the musculoskeletal system.

References

• Virtual Cancer Centre

Resources

• Patient UK