Abstract
Hypocalcaemia due to hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy is a relatively common occurrence. Standard treatment is with oral calcium and vitamin D replacement therapy; lack of response to oral therapy is rare. Herein we describe a case of hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy unresponsive to oral therapy in a patient with a complex medical history. We consider the potential causes in the context of calcium metabolism including: poor adherence, hungry bone syndrome, malabsorption, vitamin D resistance, bisphosphonate use and functional hypoparathyroidism secondary to magnesium deficiency. Malabsorption due to intestinal hurry was likely to be a contributory factor in this case and very large doses of oral therapy were required to avoid symptomatic hypocalcaemia.
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Etheridge, Z.C., Schofield, C., Prinsloo, P.J.J. et al. Hypocalcaemia following thyroidectomy unresponsive to oral therapy. Hormones 13, 286–289 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03401343
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03401343