Elevated Calcium
Treatments and Complications
Bisphosphonates to increase bone mineral density if low
Unwanted Side Effects
Atypical fractures
Osteonecrosis of the jaw
Arthalagias/myaligias/bone pain
Infusion reactions
GI side effects: esophagitis and esophageal ulcers
If labs show primary hyperparathyroidism then do a subtotal parathyroidectomy because the calcium is > 11.0 and the patient is experiencing symptoms such as constipation and hypertension.
Complications
chronic hypocalcemia requiring life long calcium and vitamin D supplementation
Injury to recurrent laryngeal nerves
Classic findings on Physical Exam
Decreased Deept Tendon Reflexes
Abdominal Pain
Palpitation
Proximal weakness
Hypertension
History
Have you been feeling any fatigue or symptoms of depression?
Have you been experiencing any fevers or unexplained weight loss?
Have you been experiencing any stomach pain or burning after eating?
Have you been experiencing muscle pain on weakness?
Has anyone in your family experienced similar symptoms?
Are you taking any of the following medications such as lithium, vitamin D, antacids, or thiazide diuretics?
Differential diagnosis
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia
Adrenal insuffiency
Drugs: thiazide diuretics, lithium, vitamin D intoxication
Granulomatous disease
Hypercalemia of malignancy
Primary hyperparthyroidism
Recheck Serum Calcium
Calcium elevated
EKG
Tall, peaked T waves, short QT interval, possible p wave disappearance, heart block, bradyarrythmias
X-ray
May show fragility fracture
May show decreased bone density
DEXA Scan
May show osteoporosi
KUB
May show kidney stones
Check 24 hr urine
Will show hypercalciuria
Check phosphate levels
Phosphate levels low
Check PTH
PTH low or low normal
Check PTHrP
PTHrP normal
Consider other causes: medications such as Lithium, Vitamin D, Antacids, Thiazide diuretics, Granulomatous disease: Sarcoidosis, TB, Hyperthyroidism
PTHrP elevated
Hypercalcemia of malignancy likely proceed with cancer workoup: PET-scan, MRI with and without contrast to locate tumor.
PTH elevated
Primary hyperparathyroidism. Screen for MEN syndrome if < 30
high resolution neck ultrasound
Pre-op sestamibi-iodine subtraction scanning to locate adenoma