What Causes High Calcium Levels In Blood?

Posted on Mon, 12 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 Answered on

Mon, 2 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : High calcium level in blood-I had unknowingly been taking the wrong dose of calcium supplement(5 grams daily-2 grams is safe) and I also take astorvastatin calcium.I had scan of parathyroid glands and neck.All tests were normal.Could supplement/medication be cause of high calcium level? If so, when should next blood test be{if any;ie, how long does it take for excess calcium to leave blood.Do some people simply have higher calcium levels?I

Answered by Dr. Geeta Sundar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, supplementation can cause high calcium levels.

Detailed Answer:
Hi welcome to HCM,
Yes, supplementation can cause high calcium levels. In fact it is advocated that people on Calcium, D and B12 supplements, monitor their levels frequently. Excess is also bad.
High calcium levels can lead to feeling sick, nauseous, reduced appetite, muddled, tired and irregular heart beat.
Additionally, it can get deposited in various parts of the body and lead especially to hardening of arteries and kidney stones.
Please get your levels tested to see whether they are high. Meanwhile--
You can drink a lot of water to try and flush out excessive calcium.
Other options your doctor may try if needed are--Biphosphonates and Calcitonin.
You can revert back. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T