CALCIUM DISORDER
The parathyroid gland is actually a group of four small glands located behind the thyroid gland. This gland is vital to proper bone development because it helps control both calcium and phosphorous levels in the body.
Hyperparathyroidism:
The most common cause of high blood calcium is a condition called primary hyperparathyroidism or PHPT. In this condition, one or more of the parathyroid glands produces too much PTH. This, in turn, causes the bones to release too much calcium into the blood. Women over the age of 50 are more likely than others to have PHPT.
Certain types of cancer, most often breast cancer, lung cancer, or multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer), can also cause high blood calcium. This usually occurs late in the course of the cancer. Less common causes of hypercalcemia include these health problems:
- Some types of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis
- Some types of autoimmune disease, such as sarcoidosis
- Hormone disorders, such as overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- A genetic condition called familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia
- Kidney failure
Commonly, high blood calcium causes no symptoms (what you feel); occasionally, or it may cause symptoms such as:
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Mood changes
- Confusion
In general, the best treatment is to take care of the condition that is causing the high blood calcium. For instance, people with primary hyperparathyroidism who have symptoms usually have surgery to remove the problem-causing parathyroid gland. Until the underlying problem is resolved, treatment may include medicines to improve blood calcium levels. When blood calcium is dangerously high, people may need treatment in a hospital to return their blood calcium to a safe level. You might not need any treatment if your blood calcium is only slightly high or you have not developed any health problems.
