How is hypercalcemia diagnosed?

Answer 1

High levels of calcium in the blood are a good indication of hypercalcemia, but these levels may fluctuate. Calcium levels are influenced by other compounds in the blood that may combine with calcium.

Hypercalcemia is ultimately diagnosed by Calcium blood tests which should be done over the course of several months.

Answer 2

Diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism is most often made when a blood test (radioimmunoassay) reveals high levels of parathyroid hormone and calcium.

Ninety-nine percent of people who have high calcium have hyperparathyroidism, however high calcium and high parathyroid hormone aren't a final diagnosis of the disease. Often times, people with hyperparathyroidism will also have a low vitamin D level.

The additional test that is often prescribed to diagnose this disease is known as a Sestemibi scan. Unfortunately, due to the fact that these scans aren't performed frequently in hospitals, nor are those performing the scan able to do it correctly, the scan will come back negative and patients are misdiagnosed as "negative" for hyperparathyroidism.