Serum Calcium Homeostasis Following Thyroid Surgery as Measured by Ethylenediamine Tetra-acetate Infusion1

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Intravenous infusion of tri-sodium ethylenediamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) was done in 29 control patients, 10 patients 3-5 days after thyroid surgery, 10 patients 1/2- 30 yr. after thyroid surgery, and 5 patients with clinically evident hypoparathyroidism. Serum calcium concentration was determined at intervals during the 24 hr. post-infusion. As compared to controls, patients with thyroid surgery showed an impaired ability to mobilize calcium in response to EDTA-induced hypocalcemia. This impairment was different from that noted in typically hypoparathyroid patients only at 24 hr. It is thought that following thyroid surgery patients have reduced parathyroid functional reserve. The results must be interpreted with caution, however, until the influence of extraparathyroidal factors can be better defined.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: