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What does it mean when calcium 🎚️ levels increase?

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Santa Rosa/ Guerneville ,CA
April 1
 · 
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A MyMyelomaTeam Member

@A MyMyelomaTeam Member all of that breaking down your bones is anguishing…

April 1
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Hi Leslie,
It sounds like MM is breaking down your bones and depositing the calcium into your blood. I found taking supplements helped me tremendously when mine was high. I take 1200-1400mg of MRM Bine Maximizer III, which is Calcium, Magnesium. Then I take extra D3, K2, Vitamins C, A and E complex. D3 helps you to absorb the calcium and K2 tells the calcium to go to the bones. This is important. You don’t want calcium clogging your arteries. Some MM patients take Zometa to slow the bone break down, but Zometa does not build bone as far as I know, which after a time, weakens your bones -makes them brittle and can cause osteonecrosis (jaw bone death). I started with severe osteoporosis in 2019. I’m not breaking bones on this protocol I started. In fact my fingernails need trimming often.
Paula🌹

April 1 (edited)
MyMyelomaTeam

What does it mean when calcium levels increase in multiple myeloma?

When calcium levels increase in myeloma, it's called hypercalcemia. This happens because myeloma activates cells called osteoclasts that break down bone faster than new bone can form. As bone breaks down, it releases calcium into your bloodstream.

This Show Full Answer

What does it mean when calcium levels increase in multiple myeloma?

When calcium levels increase in myeloma, it's called hypercalcemia. This happens because myeloma activates cells called osteoclasts that break down bone faster than new bone can form. As bone breaks down, it releases calcium into your bloodstream.

This can also occur because myeloma damages the kidneys, which normally remove extra calcium from your blood. When kidneys aren't working properly, they can't filter out the excess calcium effectively.

High calcium levels can indicate several things:

* Your myeloma may be progressing or becoming more active
* It could signal that treatment isn't working as well
* It might mean the myeloma has relapsed after treatment
* For those with earlier conditions like MGUS or smoldering myeloma, it can signal progression to active myeloma

Hypercalcemia is one of the "CRAB" symptoms doctors use to diagnose active myeloma (Calcium levels that are high, Renal dysfunction, Anemia, and Bone lesions).

Symptoms you might experience include feeling very thirsty, frequent urination, tiredness, weakness, nausea, constipation, confusion, or bone pain. Some people don't have symptoms at all.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare team. A simple blood test can check your calcium levels, and treatment options are available depending on severity.

April 1

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