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Acute post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia — SCE Endocrinology MCQ

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EasyCalcium/BoneAcute post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemiaSCE Endocrinology

A 58-year-old woman develops perioral tingling and carpopedal spasm 24 hours after total thyroidectomy. Calcium is 1.72 mmol/L, phosphate is 1.65 mmol/L, magnesium is 0.71 mmol/L and ECG shows prolonged QTc. What is the most appropriate management?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — Give intravenous calcium gluconate with cardiac monitoring

Symptomatic acute hypocalcaemia with ECG change needs intravenous calcium under monitoring. Oral calcium alone is inadequate for tetany and QT prolongation. The pearl is that magnesium should be checked and corrected because hypomagnesaemia impairs PTH secretion and action.

Reference: Society for Endocrinology acute hypocalcaemia guidance