Severe hypercalcaemia secondary to relapsed Graves' disease. Issue 1 (18th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khan, Haris; Nawaz, Maimoona; Schofield, Jonathan; Soran, Handrean
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 14:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-18
• Subjects: hyperthyroidism -- calcium and bone; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-238898
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : A 21-year-old woman presented to hospital with abdominal pain and nausea. She had a history of Graves' disease which had been effectively treated with carbimazole for 15 months. Investigations revealed a serum adjusted calcium level of 3.69 mmol/L with a suppressed parathyroid hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone <0.01 mu/L (0.2–5.0) and free T4 of 76.1 pmol/L (9-24). She was treated as a relapsed case of Graves' disease and started on propylthiouracil. Calcium levels continued to increase over the next 3 days despite adequate fluid resuscitation. A decision was taken to administer intravenous bisphosphonate (pamidronate) which resulted in a lowering of calcium levels. She became mildly hypocalcaemic following treatment with pamidronate which was presumed secondary to low vitamin D and oral vitamin D replacement was commenced. This case was unique as this is to our knowledge the most significant hypercalcaemia observed in a patient with hyperthyroidism. All other causes of hypercalcaemia were excluded. The learning points were recognising hypercalcaemia as a complication of thyrotoxicosis and the risk of hypocalcaemia following bisphosphonate therapy with low vitamin D stores.