Hypercalcemia
Hypercalcemia refers to too much calcium in the blood. It is typically associated with other underlying conditions but can be caused by medications or supplementation.
Causes
- Prescription Mediciation such as lithium and thiazide diuretics (water pills)
- Supplementation: high dose vitamin D or calcium supplementation
- Being bedbound (or not being able to move) for a long period of time
Conditions
Conditions associated with hypercalcemia include:
- Primary hyperparathryoidism
- kidney stones
- soft-tissue calcification
- Adrenal gland failure
- Milk-alkali syndrome
- Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Kidney failure
Diagnosis
Hypercalcemia is detected by assessing serum calcium, serum PTH, Serum PTHrP (PTH-related protein), serum vitamin D levels and urine calcium levels.
Symptoms
Often there are no symptoms associated with hypercalcemia, yet the following can occur:[1]
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Pain
- Poor appetite
- Vomiting
- Flank pain
- Frequent thirst
- Frequent urination
- Muscle twitches
- Muscle weakness
- Apathy
- Dementia
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Bone pain
- Bowing of the shoulders
- Fractures due to disease (pathological fractures)
- Loss of height
- Spinal column curvature
Treatment
The goal of naturopathic treatment is to support and work in tandem with the healing power of the body and to address the causal factors of disease with individual treatment strategies. The treatment strategy for hypercalcemia involves addressing the underlying conditions. Hypercalcemia, when severe, may require referral to a medical doctor or aggressive medical treatment.
It is always advisable to work with a naturopathic doctor before engaging in any treatment plan.
