High calcium is common enough in people with kidney disease and can be caused by a variety of different things, many that are within the realm of control of the patient. 

This handout will act as a tool to:

• Help patients see why calcium is important
• Empower the patient to take action if calcium gets too high 
• Provides a clear, first line strategy for the clinician to address high calcium

As clinicians, we know there are non-diet, supplement, or medication causes for high calcium that are important to look into.  However, our efforts can be negated if we haven’t fully educated the patient.  The patient may unknowingly be taking a vitamin D supplement in addition to a renal vitamin or not paid attention that they switched to a calcium fortified cereal or bread. 

There are so many things to balance in renal nutrition, that sometimes it is easier to have a checklist of sorts to ensure that all the bases have been covered before “looking for unicorns” which can cause us to overlook simple solutions.  This tool provides practical education in a low literacy format that empowers patients and clinicians in resolving hypercalemia.

Access this handout by becoming a member of the Renal Education Library here!