Bone is a dynamic tissue which undergoes constant remodeling throughout the life span. Bone turnover is balanced with coupling of bone formation and resorption at various rates leading to continuous remodeling of bone. A study of bone turnover markers (BTMs) provides an insight of the dynamics of bone turnover in many metabolic bone disorders. An increase in bone turnover seen with aging and pathological states such as osteoporosis leads to deterioration of bone microarchitecture and thus contributes to an increase in the risk of fracture independent of low bone mineral density (BMD). These microarchitectural alterations affecting the bone quality can be assessed by BTMs and thus may serve as a complementary tool to BMD in the assessment of fracture risk. A systematic search of literature regarding BTMs was carried out using the PubMed database for the purpose of this review. Various reliable, rapid, and cost-effective automated assays of BTMs with good sensitivity are available for the management of osteoporosis. However, BTMs are subjected to various preanalytical and analytical variations necessitating strict sample collection and assays methods along with utilizing ethnicity-based reference standards for different populations. Estimation of fracture risk and monitoring the adherence and response to therapy, which is a challenge in a chronic, asymptomatic disease such as osteoporosis, are the most important applications of measuring BTMs. This review describes the physiology of bone remodeling, various conventional and novel BTMs, and BTM assays and their role in the assessment of fracture risk and monitoring response to treatment with antiresorptive or anabolic agents.
ABSTRACT Aims Total thyroidectomy is significantly complicated by parathyroid dysfunction and hypocalcemia. These aspects impact the decision regarding the timing of discharge and quantum of calcium supplementation required. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the accuracy of next-day parathyroid hormone (PTH) level as a predictor of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. Secondly, we aimed at establishing our institution's postoperative PTH level, which can accurately predict the development of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia to help us ensure the safe and early discharge of patients. Materials and methods A prospective observational study of 50 continuous patients undergoing thyroidectomy was conducted at a tertiary hospital in South India. Postoperative blood samples were collected for estimation of PTH, calcium, albumin, and phosphorous. The data were collated and results analyzed using Stata I/C 10.1. Results A total of 30% (15/50) of the patients had postoperative hypocalcemia (serum calcium <8 mg/dL). Postoperative PTH was low (<8 pg/mL) in 40% (20/50) of patients. There was a significant association between PTH < 8 pg/mL and the presence of postoperative hypocalcemia (p = 0.029). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.7, and a next-day PTH of <6 pg/mL showed the highest sensitivity and specificity (83 and 60% respectively) for the development of postoperative hypocalcemia, with a positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 83 and 60 respectively. Conclusion The PTH assessment performed the day after surgery is an acceptable test to predict post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia; PTH <6 pg/mL can be used as our institution's cutoff value. Department protocols for calcium and vitamin D supplementation following total thyroidectomy may be formulated based on the appropriately timed local postoperative PTH value to assist safe and early discharge of patients. Clinical significance Discharge protocols for patients undergoing thyroidectomy may be formulated based on the postoperative PTH values, thus enabling safe and early discharge of patients. How to cite this article Cherian AJ, Ramakant P, Paul TV, Abraham DT, Paul MJ. Next-day Parathyroid Hormone as a Predictor of Post-thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia. World J Endoc Surg 2016;8(3):203-207.
Thyrotoxicosis may present with a variety of non specific symptoms in elderly patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort can occasionally be the presenting feature of thyrotoxicosis in this age group. We describe an elderly patient in whom thyrotoxicosis was diagnosed after extensive evaluation for nausea, vomiting and anorexia. This patient was also found to have hypercalcemia. This case highlights the importance of recognizing thyrotoxicosis in older patients presenting with GI symptoms and mild hypercalcemia.
Poster: ECR 2014 / C-1409 / Diagnostic accuracy of Acoustic Radiation Forced Impulse (ARFI) for differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules by: Khurana1, A. Chandramohan1, J. Elizabeth1, A. Deepak thomas 1, P. Mj2, T. Nihal1, T. V. Paul1; 1Vellore/IN, 2Vellore, Ta/IN
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