Late Symptomatic Hypocalcemia: A Case Report

Abstract

Secondary hypoparathyroidism is a possible consequence after total thyroidectomy. This leads to the risk of hypocalcemia and the consequent associated symptoms that fluctuate from mild cases such as paresthesias and cramps, to severe cases such as laryngospasm or arrhythmias. Usually, the symptoms appear in the post-operative period, and its late manifestation is not frequent.
We present a case of an 86-year-old patient with a history of thyroid dysfunction, with a presentation of late hypocalcemia, whose motor manifestations triggered etiological investigation and subsequent articulation with secondary health care.
When faced with a patient with suspected hypocalcemia, it is important to perform a complete physical examination, along with an analytical study and subsequent ion replacement. In acute situations, the patient should be evaluated in a hospital emergency room. Due to the longitudinally of care, the family physician is responsible
for clinical suspicion and management of late presentations of uncommon clinical cases.