[Hyper- and hypocalcemia--diagnosis and therapy]

Ther Umsch. 1992 Mar;49(3):156-62.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The establishment of an abnormal calcemia first requires confirmation by a second measurement that should then be interpretated in relation to albuminemia. Should the abnormality be confirmed, measurement of intact parathormone in serum can help distinguishing between a parathyroid or nonparathyroid source of origin. In presence of a plasma calcium level lower than or equal to 2.9 mmol/l regular monitoring should be investigated and aggravating factors such as thiazide diuretics, dehydration or high calcium intake avoided. If plasma calcium is greater than 3 mmol/l the patient should first be rehydrated. In case of primary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroidectomy is the only effective treatment. In neoplastic hypercalcemia, bisphosphonates are the first-choice treatment when antitumoral therapy turns out to be insufficient. Hypocalcemia can be effectively corrected by calcium and by vitamin-D derivatives.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / etiology*
  • Hypercalcemia / therapy
  • Hypocalcemia / etiology*
  • Hypocalcemia / therapy
  • Parathyroid Diseases / complications
  • Parathyroid Diseases / diagnosis
  • Parathyroid Diseases / therapy