Disorders of Calcium: Hypercalcemia

Abstract

Hypercalcemia is defined as serum [Ca²⁺] > 11 mg/dL or 1 mg/dL above the normal range. It is a common electrolyte disorder that is frequently encountered by the primary care physicians. Hypercalcemia affects multiple organs in the body, including the kidney, heart, brain, peripheral nerves, and the gut. Although causes of hypercalcemia are varied, they fall into four major categories: (1) hypercalcemia secondary to increased Ca²⁺ mobilization from the bone; (2) hypercalcemia due to increased absorption of Ca²⁺ from the gastrointestinal tract (GI); (3) hypercalcemia due to decreased urinary excretion of Ca²⁺, and (4) hypercalcemia due to medications.

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