SAT-371 Severe Hypocalcemia Secondary to Pseudohypoparathyroidism

Abstract

Introduction: Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a rare disorder characterized by PTH resistance due to a mutation in the GNAS gene causing decreased cyclic AMP generation. The 5 subtypes of PHP include type 1a, 1b, 1c, 2, and pseudo-PHP with type 1a being the most common. Patients with PHP present with hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, appropriately elevated PTH, and suppressed calcitriol levels. PHP type 1a patients have characteristic features including obesity, short stature, round facies, and shortened metacarpals. PHP patients should be evaluated for other endocrinopathies as mutations in the GNAS gene may result in resistance to other hormones like TSH, GHRH, and gonadotropins.Case Report: This patient is a 25 year old male who presented to clinic for evaluation of hypocalcemia. He denied any personal or family history of calcium disorders, thyroid disease, or parathyroid disease. He admitted to severe fatigue and muscle cramps for over one year leading to a car accident. He was sent to the emergency room and diagnosed with hypocalcemia requiring IV calcium gluconate. He was then seen by his family physician and was found to have elevated intact PTH and low 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels. He was placed on cholecalciferol 5000 international units (IU) daily, ergocalciferol 50,000 IU once weekly, calcium carbonate 500 mg (6 tablets daily), and referred to endocrinology. The physical exam was unremarkable. The laboratory values tested were an intact PTH of 645 pg/mL (10–65 pg/mL), ionized calcium of 4.2 mg/dL (4.6–5.08 mg/dL), magnesium of 2.1 mg/dL (1.5–2.3 mg/dL), 25-OH vitamin D of 31.7 ng/mL (20–100 ng/mL), and creatinine of 0.81 mg/dL (0.7–1.3 mg/dL) four months after starting the above mentioned calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Further testing revealed a phosphorus level of 4.8 mg/dL (2.3–4.7 mg/dL), calcitriol level of 55.8 pg/mL(19.9–79.3 pg/mL), TSH of 10.46 uIU/mL (0.4–4.2 uIU/mL) and free T4 of 1.5 ng/dL (0.8–1.7 ng/dL). His labs were consistent with PHP. Although unknown which PHP subtype, it is likely not type 1a as he lacks its characteristic phenotype. His abnormal thyroid function tests may be secondary to TSH resistance associated with the GNAS gene mutation. He was told to continue the current dose of calcium carbonate but to discontinue ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol. He was placed on calcitriol 0.5 mcg daily. He will have repeat levels of his ionized calcium, calcitriol, TSH, and free T4 in two weeks. If TSH is still above 10 uIU/mL, we will start levothyroxine replacement.Conclusion: Although a rare disorder, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for PHP to prevent complications of hypocalcemia (tetany, arrhythmias, seizures) and metabolic bone disease from PTH resistance.