From the Research
Yes, hypercalcemia can present with mouth dryness (xerostomia). Hypercalcemia, which is an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood, affects multiple body systems including the salivary glands. The elevated calcium levels can impair normal salivary gland function, reducing saliva production and resulting in a dry mouth sensation. This occurs because calcium plays a crucial role in regulating secretory functions in glandular tissues. Additionally, hypercalcemia often causes polyuria (increased urination) and polydipsia (increased thirst), which can contribute to overall dehydration and worsen mouth dryness.
According to the most recent study 1, hypercalcemia is a common electrolyte anomaly in primary care, affecting almost 1% of the worldwide population, and its clinical manifestations concern the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and skeletal systems. The study also highlights that the chosen treatments and their speed of introduction depend mainly on the severity of hypercalcemia.
Some key points to consider in the diagnosis and management of hypercalcemia include:
- Measurement of parathyroid hormone (PTH) to distinguish between PTH-dependent and PTH-independent causes, as noted in 2
- Discontinuation of any medication likely to be involved in iatrogenic hypercalcemia, as mentioned in 1
- Treatment with intravenous rehydration, and antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, or calcitonin, as discussed in 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
Patients with hypercalcemia may also experience other symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, bone pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and cognitive changes. If a patient presents with unexplained mouth dryness along with other suspicious symptoms, checking serum calcium levels would be appropriate. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause of hypercalcemia, which may include primary hyperparathyroidism, malignancy, or medication effects, rather than just managing the symptom of dry mouth.