This prospective multicenter study tested a new treatment algorithm for managing calcium and vitamin D supplementation after total or completion thyroidectomy. Instead of relying solely on lab values, supplementation was initiated based on symptoms such as tingling or muscle cramps.
Patients treated according to the new protocol received calcium and/or alfacalcidol significantly less often, without experiencing severe calcium-related complications. However, the new approach did lead to an increase in emergency department visits. The authors conclude that symptom-based calcium management is safe and helps reduce unnecessary long-term use of medication. The Thyroid Network supported this study, which was conducted in ten hospitals across the Southwest Netherlands region.
Read the full study: https://doi.org/10.1530/ETJ-23-0044
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