Patients undergoing malabsorptive weight-loss procedures are at increased risk of calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Thyroidectomy
carries the risk of both immediate and long-term hypocalcemia. Here we describe a patient who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric
bypass (RYGB) and subsequent near-total thyroidectomy and then developed refractory hypocalcemia. Serum calcium reached a
nadir of 6.1 mg/dl despite aggressive therapy with oral and IV calcium, calcitriol (1,25(OH)
2D
3), and IV magnesium sulfate. One year later, the patient has permanent hypoparathyroidism and requires very high doses of
calcium, vitamin D, and calcitriol to prevent symptomatic hypocalcemia. Providers should be aware that malabsorption of calcium
and vitamin D after RYGB may complicate patient management after thyroidectomy.
Keywords Hypocalcemia - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass - Thyroidectomy - Hypoparathyroidism - Weight-loss surgery
Sources of Support: There was no funding source for this paper.
Sara M. Pietras has nothing to declare.