Is Hypercalcemia a Part of Acute Renal Failure?

Acute renal failure (ARF) happens when the kidneys become unable to adequately filter out toxins. Acute renal failure has many causes, including hypercalcemia, or excess levels of calcium. Untreated hypercalcemia almost always leads to acute renal failure, and acute renal failure can cause hypercalcemia.

Causes

• Causes of hypercalcemia include primary hyperparathyroidism, certain medications and tumors. Infections, congenital malformations and injuries can all cause ARF.

Function

• According to the Cleveland Clinic, when acute renal failure causes hypercalcemia, it starts with excess levels of phosphorous that trap calcium in soft tissues. As renal function improves, lowering phosphorous levels, the excess calcium is released into the body.

Effects

• According to Nephrology Channel, when hypercalcemia causes ARF, it does so by reducing the kidneys' ability to clear creatinine. The breakdown of creatine in the muscles creates creatinine that can elevate phosphorous levels if not filtered from the body.

Expert Insight

• A joint study conducted by the Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine and Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto at the University of São Paulo in Brazil determined that hypocalcemia typically accompanies acute renal failure. The results of their study determined that acute renal failure accompanied by hypercalcemia is almost always caused by another factor, such as cancer, multiple myeloma or sarcoidosis.

Treatment

• According to the Cleveland Clinic, treatment for ARF and hypercalcemia occurring simultaneously usually seeks to improve kidney function to allow the body to clear excess calcium by using an I.V. to infuse saline into the body. Saline elevates sodium, calcium and phosphorous levels, stimulating the kidneys to filter faster.