What Causes High Calcium Blood Levels in Menopausal Women?
During menopause, estrogen levels are decreased, causing a multitude of side effects that include rapid bone loss. The lack of estrogen causes an increase in calcium release from bones, decreased calcium absorption by the gastrointestinal tract and increased urinary excretion of calcium. In most menopausal women, calcium levels remain normal or are decreased. More rarely, they may be increased by parathyroid gland dysfunction, certain cancers and excessive vitamin D supplement intake. Most people do not experience symptoms of hypercalcemia, and it is undetected until a routine blood test is performed. The symptoms that may be present include excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation, muscle weakness and fatigue.
