Hypercalcemia

A higher-than-normal level of calcium in the blood. This can cause a number of nonspecific symptoms, including loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, fatigue, muscle weakness, restlessness, and confusion. Excessive intake of calcium may cause muscle weakness and constipation, affect the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart (heart block) lead to calcium stones (nephrocalcinosis), in the urinary tract, impair kidney function, and interfere with the absorption of iron predisposing to iron deficiency. According to the National Academy of Sciences, adequate intake of calcium is 1 gram daily for both men and women. The upper limit for calcium intake is 2.5 grams daily.

* * *

An abnormally high concentration of calcium compounds in the circulating blood; commonly used to indicate an elevated concentration of calcium ions in the blood.

- humoral h. of benignancy h. induced by parathyroid hormonelike protein of benign tumor.

- idiopathic h. of infants persistent h. of unknown cause in very young children, associated with osteosclerosis, renal insufficiency, and sometimes hypertension; also may be associated with supravalvular aortic stenosis, elfin facies, and mental retardation.

* * *

hy·per·cal·ce·mia or chiefly Brit hy·per·cal·cae·mia .hī-pər-.kal-'sē-mē-ə n the presence of an excess of calcium in the blood

hy·per·cal·ce·mic or chiefly Brit hy·per·cal·cae·mic -'sē-mik adj

* * *

hy·per·cal·ce·mia (hi″pər-kal-seґme-ə) [hyper- + calci- + -emia] an excess of calcium in the blood; manifestations include fatigability, muscle weakness, depression, anorexia, nausea, and constipation. Called also calcemia and hypercalcinemia.