What is hypercalcemia?

What is hypercalcemia?

• A. Lower-than-normal calcium in the blood
• B. Higher-than-normal potassium in the blood
• C. Higher-than-normal calcium in the blood
• D. Lower-than-normal sodium in the blood

Answer: (C)

Hypercalcemia means there is more calcium in the blood than normal. Calcium levels are normally kept within a tight range by hormones such as parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and vitamin D metabolism. When calcium is elevated, it can dampen nerve and muscle activity, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, constipation, increased thirst and urination, confusion, and, in severe cases, heart rhythm problems. The other descriptions point to different conditions—lower calcium describes hypocalcemia, and elevated potassium or low sodium describe hyperkalemia or hyponatremia, respectively—so they don’t define hypercalcemia.

Hypercalcemia means there is more calcium in the blood than normal. Calcium levels are normally kept within a tight range by hormones such as parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and vitamin D metabolism. When calcium is elevated, it can dampen nerve and muscle activity, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, constipation, increased thirst and urination, confusion, and, in severe cases, heart rhythm problems. The other descriptions point to different conditions—lower calcium describes hypocalcemia, and elevated potassium or low sodium describe hyperkalemia or hyponatremia, respectively—so they don’t define hypercalcemia.