If your doctor is concerned that you have high calcium in your blood, you may feel confused. After all, many people — especially women — are encouraged to get more calcium, often through supplements. So how can high calcium levels in the blood suddenly be a problem?
The answer lies in how your body regulates calcium, not how much you consume. A dangerously high increase in calcium levels in the blood — known as hypercalcemia — is a sign that something in your body’s internal balance isn’t working properly. In many cases, that “something” is a small gland in your neck called the parathyroid.
Left untreated, high calcium in the blood — or hypercalcemia — can strain your kidneys, weaken bones, impair thinking, and strain your heart.
Let’s explore what causes high calcium in your blood, why it matters, and how to get the right treatment.
What Causes High Calcium Levels in Your Blood?
Your body works hard to keep calcium levels within a healthy range. When that balance is disrupted, high calcium levels in the blood can result. Hypercalcemia is usually caused by an underlying medical issue — not by diet alone.
The most common cause of high calcium in your blood is primary hyperparathyroidism. A benign tumor causes a parathyroid gland to become overactive, releasing too much parathyroid hormone (PTH), which raises calcium levels throughout the body.
Other possible causes of hypercalcemia include:
- Cancer, especially advanced lung, breast, or blood cancers
- Excess vitamin D, which can increase calcium levels in the blood
- Certain medications, like lithium or thiazide diuretics
- Rare conditions such as sarcoidosis or milk-alkali syndrome
- Dehydration, which can temporarily raise calcium concentration
While any of these can cause high calcium in your blood, the vast majority of cases are due to parathyroid disease.
Signs Your Parathyroid May Be the Problem
Because the parathyroid glands regulate calcium levels in the blood, an overactive gland can affect many parts of the body. When a parathyroid gland produces too much PTH, the bones begin to break down, the kidneys retain calcium, and the digestive system boosts the activation of vitamin D. Together, these actions cause high calcium levels in the blood.
Common hyperparathyroid symptoms include:
- Cognitive impairment
- Bone or joint pain
- Kidney stones
- Frequent urination
- Constipation or digestive issues
- Mood changes, including anxiety or depression
- High blood pressure
- Increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke
These hyperparathyroid symptoms, like the symptoms of hypercalcemia, can develop gradually and are all too often mistaken for stress, aging, or unrelated health issues. But if you’ve been diagnosed with high calcium in your blood, they may point to hyperparathyroidism — a condition that’s both diagnosable and highly treatable.
Getting the Right Diagnosis and Treatment
If you’ve received test results showing high calcium in your blood, don’t just shrug it off. Even if your primary care provider doesn’t express concern, the next step should be to measure your parathyroid hormone (PTH) level. This simple blood test can help determine whether hyperparathyroidism is the cause of your hypercalcemia. In many cases, no scans or imaging are needed to make the diagnosis.
If your calcium levels are high but your vitamin D levels are low, that’s another clue pointing to parathyroid disease. Although secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is often linked to low calcium levels, low vitamin D can also appear in primary hyperparathyroidism, as the body tries to compensate for already elevated calcium levels.
The good news is that hyperparathyroidism treatment is typically low-risk and highly successful. A simple, outpatient surgery to remove the overactive gland is generally the most effective option. When performed by an experienced specialist, parathyroid surgery is quick, minimally invasive, and often life-changing. Once the abnormal gland is removed, calcium levels typically return to normal, and symptoms often improve dramatically.
High Calcium in Blood? Take the Next Step Toward Answers
If you’ve been living with vague symptoms or test results that no one seems to take seriously, you’re not alone. Many patients with high calcium in blood are left without answers — or worse, told it’s nothing to worry about. But the effects of hyperparathyroidism are real, and you deserve to feel better.
At the Center for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery, Dr. Babak Larian leads a team of highly trained, dedicated medical professionals committed to taking a personalized approach to every case of hypercalcemia. They’re dedicated to providing individualized care and treatment plans that offer real, lasting relief from the effects of hyperparathyroidism.
If you’re ready to get answers and feel heard, schedule a consultation or contact us today. You’ll be treated with respect, compassion, and the highest level of specialized care.
