Disorders of Calcium and Parathyroid Gland Flashcards
Notes on calcium balance in the body
Humans generally take in 1000mg of Ca daily, 30% of which is absorbed in the duodenum to disperse in the serum. The intestine put out an additional 150 mg/day into the GI to be excreted and the kidneys put out 150 mg/day in urine.
Where are calcium-sensing receptors found?
parathyroid, kidney, C cells in the thyroid, and in bone
This is Gs coupled receptor
How do CaSRs work? Drugs to stimulate?
high calcium levels binds to reduce PTH secretion via internal cascade
Drugs to stimulate: Cinacalcet
How should the workup of a patient with hypercalcemia begin?
1) H&E
2) Check albumin and total calcium TWICE to reduce risk of lab error
3) Check PTH
What conditions associated with hypercalcemia are PTH dependent?
- hyper parathyroidism
- familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH)
- Medication-induced (lithum or HCTZ mediated)
What conditions associated with hypercalcemia are PTH independent?
- tumor induced (PTHrP or bone metastases)
- granulomatous diseases (TB, sarcoidosis, lymphoma) associated with increased VitD
- MM
- Hyperthyroidism/adrenal failure
- Immobilization
Med-induced (vitD/A toxicity, milk-alkali syndrome)
How is primary hyperparathyroidism defined?
high PTH AND high calcium, low phosphate, and increased cAMP in urine
What the main causes of primary hyperparathyroidism?
80-85% adenoma
15% hyperplasia (MEN1/2A, HPT-Jaw Tumor Syndrome, familial HPT)
1% Parathyroid carcinoma
Is sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism more common in men or women?
Women
Risk factors for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism?
age, race (AA>W>H), female
What are the symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism?
Stones, abdominal moans (constripation, nausea), psychic groans (depression, memory loss), and bones (osteoporosis/fractures)
the MAJORITY are asymptomatic, or have vague symptoms/general unwellness
What things should be included in a primary hyperPTN workup?
calcium, albumin (or ionized calcium), PTH, 25-OH vitD,
24 hr urine calcium (to differentiate from FHH)
Imaging: thyroid US to start, Tc-sestamibi scan, DEXA scan
What is the preferred Tx of primary parathyroidism?
parathyroidectomy
What criteria would suggest the need for parathyroidectomy?
calcium 1+ mg/dL above UNL
age under 50 yo
osteoporosis
Renal insufficiency
How is primary HPT managed?
- adequate hydration
- bisphosphonates
- maintain vit D range (20-30 ng/mL)
What is an option for patients who can not or do not want surgery and have moderate hypercalcemia?
Cinacalcet
What causes familial hypocalciuria hypercalcemia (FHH)?
Inactivating mutations in CaSR (100% penetrant) leading to mildly elevated serum Ca and PTH and hypocalciuria.
How does FHH present?
mostly asymptomatic
What labs suggest FHH?
elevated PTH and calcium and
24hr urine calcium less than 50-100 mg/24 hr