Endocrine Abstracts

Controlling calcium following thyroidectomy

Margaret Morris

The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

Permanent hypoparathyroidism is rare after total thyroidectomy. However, our experience is that often patients remain on alfacalcidol and calcium supplements long-term after thyroidectomy.

Administration of these drugs can result in complications such as hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria, nephrocalcinosis and vitamin D toxicity.

Case histories will be used to demonstrate that withdrawal of alfacalcidol should be attempted post thyroidectomy regardless of the duration of treatment. Significant reduction in dose age can be achieved even if the drug cannot be withdrawn.

Endocrine Abstracts (2007) 13 S61