Metabolic Medicine

Question 1

How does hypocalcaemia present?

Answer 1

perioral paraesthesia, cramps, tetany and convulsions

Question 2

How does hypercalcaemia present?

Answer 2

bones (bone pain), stones (renal calculi), groans (constipation), thrones (polyuria) and moans (fatigue, depression, confusion).

Question 3

How do we treat hypercalcaemia?

Answer 3

IV normal saline

Question 4

How does furosemide work?

Answer 4

Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium reabsorption in the ascending limb of Henle’s loop leading to increased excretion of sodium and water along with chloride, magnesium and calcium. It also increases potassium excretion so its use may lead to hypokalaemia rather than hyperkalaemia.