Hypocalcemia

Dr. OP Hamnvik, an endocrinologist and medical educator at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, joins Joyce Zhou (host) and Dr. Emily Gutowski (case presenter) to discuss hypocalcemia. They run through a case of a patient with a recent thyroidectomy who presents with perioral paresthesia and hypocalcemia. Dr. Hamnvik takes us through the many causes of hypocalcemia, from the PTH-dependent to the PTH-independent causes, in addition to ways in which we can test for hypocalcemia at the bedside through Chvostek's & Trousseau's signs. Dr. Hamnvik gives us a quick refresher on calcium homeostasis, vitamin D metabolism, and the various ways in which these can go awry to cause hypocalcemia. The conversation ends with a discussion of the classic hypocalcemia labs, treatment decision-making, and several clinical pearls from Emily & Dr. Hamnvik!