What causes high blood calcium levels?
Calcium is an element that is important for the function of nearly every cell in the body. The levels of calcium in the blood (serum calcium) must be maintained within a specific range. When levels are too high, many problems can occur such as kidney stones, muscle weakness, abdominal pains, mood disturbances, fatigue and even cardiac arrhythmias. There are many conditions which may cause high calcium levels. The most common cause of elevated calcium in the general, non-hospitalized population is hyperparathyroidism. The parathyroid glands are 4 small, pea sized glands located in the neck that make parathyroid hormone when the blood calcium levels are low. Parathyroid hormone increases the amount of calcium absorbed from food, increases the amount of calcium reabsorbed back into the body by the kidneys, and releases calcium from bones. When the calcium levels have been raised back to normal levels, the parathyroid glands should stop making and releasing parathyroid hormone. Occasionall
