Rationale behind decreasing calcium intake prior to parathyroidectomy?
Register Today!- by kelso1001 Dec 30, '12Is this done to avoid a sudden decrease in Calcium after the procedure?
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Dec 30, '12 by K+MgSO4Huh?
This does not make sense. The pt is at risk of a calcium crisis post op so I don't really understand this. - Admin
- Asst. Admin
Dec 30, '12 by Esme12Is this a homework question?
What do you think? Why is a parathyroidectomy indicated...for what condition? What does that condition cause? Is the CA restricted because of the surgery or the disease?psu_213 likes this. -
Dec 31, '12 by kelso1001I am studying for the NCLEX using Kaplan and this was one of the questions. It said that calcium needs to be reduced prior to the procedure, but did not really explain why. The only rationale that I can think of is that they decrease calcium intake so that after the parathyroid is removed (which controls the release of calcium), the body doesn't go into shock because of the change in calcium level? I'm not sure.. - Dec 31, '12 by kelso1001Unless you have an overactive parathyroid and need to decrease calcium because of that...Esme12 likes this.
- Asst. AdminDec 31, '12 by Esme12exactly!
Most parathyroidectomies are performed for primary hyperparathyroidism. The most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism is parathyroid adenoma, which accounts for 80-90% of cases. The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism requires, minimally, an increased serum total calcium level with an increased intact PTH level—or, at least, an inappropriately high normal PTH level. Serum calcium levels can fluctuate somewhat, but patients with primary hyperparathyroidism should have a documented increase in serum total or ionized calcium sometime during the course of the condition....which would make the decreasing of calcium important. But careful monitoring of CA levels is imperative post op to prevent complications.
