Hypercalcemia And Hypocalcemia Specialist
-
- Tweet
Merit Health Care, P.C.
Nephrologists located in Sylacauga, AL & Talladega, AL
If you don’t have the right amount of calcium in your body, it may be due to underlying hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia. To stabilize calcium levels and prevent kidney disease and osteoporosis, Ghayas Habach, MD, MPH, and the medical team at Merit Health Care, PC, offer on-site diagnostic testing and treatment services. They tailor a treatment plan using supplements to boost your calcium intake or medications to lower the amount of calcium in your body. To learn more about your treatment options for hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, call the office in Sylacauga or Talladega, Alabama, today or book an appointment online.
Hypercalcemia and Hypocalcemia Q & A
What are hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia?
Hypercalcemia is a condition where the calcium levels in your blood are above normal, which can weaken your bones, affect your brain and heart function, and increase your risk for kidney stones.
Hypocalcemia describes a calcium deficiency that can cause osteoporosis (brittle bones), heart dysfunction, muscle spasms, and cognitive issues.
Both conditions are the result of dysfunction in your parathyroid glands. These four glands are in your neck near your thyroid. You can also develop hypercalcemia because of cancer, the use of certain medications, or the overuse of vitamins.
Hypocalcemia can result from malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency, pancreatitis, and kidney failure.
What are the symptoms of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia?
If you have mild hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia, you may not have any symptoms initially. If the issue persists, you may experience noticeable symptoms that need diagnostic testing.
Symptoms of hypercalcemia can include:
- Excessive thirst
- Muscle weakness
- Heart palpitations
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues
In hypocalcemia, you may experience numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, muscle cramps, frequent bone fractures, and depression. You may also notice that your skin is thinning.
To determine if your symptoms relate to hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia, the team at Merit Health Care, PC, offers in-office blood tests that can assess your parathyroid hormone levels. You may need additional testing to determine the root cause of excessive calcium production or a calcium deficiency.
How are hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia treated?
Dr. Habach may initially opt to monitor your bone health and kidney function over time to address hypercalcemia. If you have severe hypercalcemia, you may need medications to control calcium levels in your blood.
If medications aren’t enough to treat your condition, you may need surgery to remove tissue from around your parathyroid glands.
Treatment for hypocalcemia may include dietary changes to help you get more calcium in your daily diet. Dr. Habach can also recommend supplements to stabilize your calcium levels. It’s important that you don’t take supplements without medical supervision because it can increase your risk for hypercalcemia.
To schedule diagnostic testing for hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, call the Merit Health Care, PC, office nearest to you today or book an appointment online.
