hormonal and metabolic disorders
Hypercalcemia (High Level of Calcium in the Blood)
Treatment of Hypercalcemia
Fluids and medications to increase excretion ofcalcium When hypercalcemia is not severe, correcting the cause is often sufficient. If people have mild hypercalcemia or conditions that can cause hypercalcemia and if their kidney function is normal, they are usually advised to drink plenty of fluids. Fluids stimulate the kidneys to excretecalciumand help prevent dehydration. Doctors may advise people to take mineral supplements containing phosphate, which helps preventcalciumabsorption. level is very high or if symptoms of brain dysfunction or muscle weakness appear, fluids and diuretics are given by vein (intravenously) as long as kidney function is normal. Dialysis is a highly effective, safe, reliable treatment, but it is usually used only for people with severe hypercalcemia that cannot be treated by other methods. Several other medications (including bisphosphonates,calcitonin, corticosteroids, and, rarely, plicamycin) can be used to treat hypercalcemia. These medications work primarily by slowing the release of calcium from bone. Hypercalcemia caused by cancer is particularly difficult to treat. Sometimes a medication calleddenosumabis helpful. If the cancer cannot be controlled, hypercalcemia usually returns despite the best treatment. 