Which condition is often associated with hypercalcemia?

Hypercalcemia, which is the condition of having elevated levels of calcium in the blood, is frequently associated with chronic kidney disease. In individuals with chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are less able to filter and excrete waste products and electrolytes, including calcium. This can lead to several physiological changes, including dysregulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism often resulting in elevated calcium levels.

Additionally, reduced kidney function impairs the conversion of vitamin D to its active form, which is necessary for calcium absorption in the intestines. Consequently, in chronic kidney disease, even though the body may attempt to compensate by increasing parathyroid hormone levels in response to low calcium absorption, it can result in hypercalcemia as the kidneys fail to excrete calcium effectively.

This relationship emphasizes the importance of monitoring calcium levels in patients with chronic kidney disease as part of their overall management strategy, ensuring that complications such as hypercalcemia are identified and addressed.