Endocrine

Hypercalcaemia

Reading Time:

Pathology

Normal range for serum Ca2+ is 2.25-2.5mmol/l. A large amount of Ca2+ is transported bound to proteins so corrected calcium calculations are used. 

Aetiology

aised PTH: 
Primary hyperparathyroidism
Normal PTH:
Malignancy (paraneoplastic or due to bone metastases)
Genetic e.g. familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia
Endocrine e.g. hyperthyroidism, hypoadrenalism, phaeochromocytoma
Drugs e.g. thiazides, vitamin D and A supplements
Sarcoidosis
TB
Others: 
Immobility
AIDS
Milk-alkali syndrome

Signs

Mild: Mild cognitive impairment.
Moderate: Muscle weakness. 
Severe: Dehydration, arrhythmias, coma.

Symptoms

Mild: Polyuria, polydipsia, dyspepsia.
Moderate: Constipation, anorexia, nausea, fatigue.
Severe: Abdominal pain, lethargy..

Investigations

Bloods: Corrected Ca2+, PTH, U&Es, LFTs, Vitamin D, Phosphate, Magnesium, 
Serum ACE (Sarcoidosis)
Urine: Calcium 
Imaging: Renal ultrasound, ultrasound neck, SestaMIBI of parathyroids, bone 
scan for metastases

Treatment

Poor in malignant causes, otherwise good with treatment.

Prognosis

Poor in malignant causes, otherwise good with treatment.
Arrhythmias, shortened QT interval on ECG, pancreatitis, renal stones if chronic, renal tubular acidosis.

Key Facts

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.

Key Images

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.

Key References

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.