Cowgirl Life and Mineral Strife: When Hg Steals Your Balance

2024 proved to be another critical year of discovery in my health journey. After taking time for spiritual growth by attending a plant medicine retreat and trekking to Machu Picchu, I decided to start tackling some concerning bloodwork and lab results.  For the past 10 years, my labs have shown my blood calcium levels to be encroaching the ‘too high’ mark—eventually tipping into officially high territory. This is measured through a simple parathyroid hormone (PTH) test, often paired with a calcium blood test, which helps identify how well your parathyroid glands are functioning.

So what does a high calcium level actually mean?

High calcium levels in the blood—also known as hypercalcemia—can signal a number of issues. The most common cause, especially in middle-aged women, is primary hyperparathyroidism, a condition where one or more of the parathyroid glands (tiny glands behind your thyroid) become overactive and produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).

This hormone controls calcium balance in the body. When it’s out of whack, your body pulls calcium from your bones and dumps it into your bloodstream—leading to elevated calcium levels that can cause a cascade of health issues.  Hypercalcemia is sneaky. Many people walk around with elevated calcium for years and have no idea—until symptoms creep in. These can include:

• Fatigue or low energy

• Bone pain or fragility

• Muscle weakness

• Memory problems or brain fog

• Increased thirst and urination

• Kidney stones

• Digestive issues like constipation, nausea, or abdominal pain

• Mood changes—including depression or irritability

In my case, I had some of these symptoms, but they had overlapped with everything else I was dealing with and the understanding of my Hg toxicity.  It wasn’t until my calcium levels crossed a clear threshold that my care team and I began connecting the dots more intentionally.

Calcium is crucial for healthy bones, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting—but too much of it circulating in your blood can create real problems. Over time, unchecked hypercalcemia can weaken bones (leading to osteoporosis), impair kidney function, and increase the risk of cardiovascular issues.

What causes high calcium?

While hyperparathyroidism is the most common culprit, other causes of high calcium can include:

• Certain cancers (especially lung, breast, and blood cancers)

• Overuse of calcium or vitamin D supplements

• Dehydration

• Thyroid disorders

• Chronic kidney disease

• Sarcoidosis and other inflammatory diseases

• Heavy metals 🧐

The Heavy Metal Connection:

As I dug deeper into my understanding of Hg toxicity, my research showed that toxic elements like Hg, lead, cadmium, and aluminum that, when built up in the body, can silently interfere with how your organs and glands function. And yes—they can absolutely play a role in calcium dysregulation. Heavy metals can directly impair parathyroid gland function. These glands regulate calcium levels, and when they’re inflamed, damaged, or overstimulated by toxins, they can start misfiring. That can lead to excess production of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which in turn raises blood calcium levels by leaching it from your bones. Through my initial hair test in 2021, I tested positive for all four of the above mentioned toxic elements. 😔

Even with all the tools and support I’ve gathered along the way, 2024 marked another pivotal chapter in my health story. It’s been a reminder that our bodies don’t always give us clear signals, and sometimes it takes a lot of digging to uncover what's really going on beneath the surface. High calcium levels were a piece of the puzzle I hadn’t fully connected until everything else came into focus.

But here’s the takeaway: We are our own best advocates. By listening closely to our bodies, pushing for deeper answers, and being willing to question what we think we know, we can uncover and address health issues before they spiral.

Getting my parathyroid issue addressed (surgery – August 2024) was a huge step, and already, I’m feeling a difference. Not by leaps and bounds, but a difference.  I’m certainly not "fixed" yet, as I continue to chelate, but each day brings me closer to balance—physically, emotionally, and mentally. And I’ll take that.

So, whether you're working through your own health hurdles, or simply trying to stay on top of your wellness, remember: It’s a journey, not a sprint. Don’t be afraid to dig deep, ask the tough questions, and take the necessary steps to take care of yourself. Your health matters. And like any rancher tending to their land, it’s all about nurturing what matters most—so you can thrive.