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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffBecause hypercalcemia may cause few, if any, signs or symptoms, you may not know you have the disorder until routine blood tests show a high level of blood calcium. Blood tests also can reveal whether your parathyroid hormone level is high, indicating that you have hyperparathyroidism. If your parathyroid hormone level is suppressed, your doctor will order other tests to determine the underlying cause of your hypercalcemia. These tests may include:
- Chest X-ray
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Mammogram
These tests may help determine whether you have lung cancer, breast cancer, other malignancies, or granulomatous diseases of the lung, such as sarcoidosis.
References
- Shane E. Etiology of hypercalcemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
- Shane E. Clinical manifestations of hypercalcemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
- Shane E, et al. Treatment of hypercalcemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 25, 2011.
- Disorders of calcium concentration. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec12/ch156/ch156g.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2011.
- Parathyroid surgery. American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. http://www.endocrinesurgery.org/patient_education/index.shtml. Accessed Feb. 15, 2011.
- Hypercalcemia (PDQ) health professional version. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/hypercalcemia/HealthProfessional. Accessed Feb. 15, 2011.
- Dietary supplement fact sheet: Calcium. Office of Dietary Supplements. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp. Accessed Feb. 15, 2011.
- Hyperparathyroidism. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/hyper/hyper.htm. Accessed Feb. 15, 2011.
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