Vitamin D level is not a predictor of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

As the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased, hypocalcemia, a common complication of thyroid surgery, has become a serious problem. However, no definite predictor of postoperative hypocalcemia is known. In this study, our purpose was to investigate the potential role of vitamin D as a predictor of postoperative hypocalcemia.

METHODS:

A prospective observational study was performed on patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer performed by a single experienced surgeon between October 2013 and September 2014.

MEASUREMENTS:

Their serum 25-OH vitamin D levels were measured preoperatively. On the day after surgery, serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone levels were measured, and symptoms of hypocalcemia were recorded.

RESULTS:

Of the 134 patients, laboratory and symptomatic hypocalcemia developed in 52 patients (39 %) and 25 patients (19 %), on the day after surgery. The preoperative vitamin D level was 16.5 ± 9.2 ng/mL, and this value did not differ according to laboratory or symptomatic hypocalcemia (p = 0.94). The incidence of laboratory or symptomatic hypocalcemia did not differ according to vitamin D deficiency. Only incidental parathyroidectomy was associated with symptomatic hypocalcemia (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS:

Vitamin D level is not a predictor of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. Thus, routine preoperative screening for vitamin D is not recommended.

• Authors: Guk Haeng Lee, Yun Hyi Ku, Hong Il Kim, Myung-Chul Lee, Min Joo Kim
• Journal: Langenbeck's archives of surgery (Langenbecks Arch Surg) Vol. 400 Issue 5 Pg. 617-22 (Jul 2015) ISSN: 1435-2451 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 26050997 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Parathyroid Hormone
• Calcium

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Calcium (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypocalcemia (diagnosis)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parathyroid Hormone (blood)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Thyroid Neoplasms (surgery)
• Thyroidectomy
• Vitamin D Deficiency (diagnosis)