Excessive intake of calcium supplements can lead to hypercalcemia and other health problems.
Person at risk: anxiety over the risk of osteoporosis, typically a middle age or older woman.
Current recommendations for women (different groups have different recommendations):
(1) age 19 to 50 years: 1,000 mg per day
(2) > 50 years: 1,200 mg per day
A person taking calcium supplements may take over 2,000 mg per day as supplements, in addition to any calcium in the diet.
Features:
(1) use of calcium supplements far in excess of recommendations
(2) hypercalcemia
(3) variable nephrolithiasis
(4) low serum parathyroid hormone
(5) reversal of hypercalcemia on restricting calcium intake
The diagnosis is not a challenge if the person mentions the excessive use of a calcium supplement, but it can be challenging if the patient denies the intake or if no one asks.
