A 37-year-old woman presents to the emergency room complaining of general tingling sensation all over her body and spasm of her right hand for 1 hour. Her spasm is worsening and she feels as her body becomes more rigid. She had undergone subtotal thyroidectomy 2 weeks ago and the incision is healed and clean. Blood tests reveal very low serum calcium level.
What should be the immediate therapy to reverse her symptoms?
A- Vitamin D
B- Calcitonin
C- Calcium gluconate
D- Levothyroxine
E- Parathyroid hormone
Answer
IV Calcium gluconate is the treatment of choice for severe hypocalcemia. It is a common complication of subtotal thyroidectomy due to loss of parathyroid glands.
The correct answer is C