Hypocalcemia in a 15 Year Old With New Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis and significant hyperglycemia are associated with known electrolyte derangements in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism occurring in uncontrolled diabetes are rare. We present a case of new-onset diabetes with severe hypocalcemia.

Case: A 15-year-old obese Caucasian male with ADHD and autism presented to the Emergency room due to hyperglycemia found on laboratory evaluation for hypertension. Serum glucose was 563 mg/dL, serum bicarbonate 24 meq/L (21 - 31 meq/L), and HgbA1C 11.4% (4.0 - 5.6%). He was admitted to initiate insulin and for diabetes education. On admission, hypocalcemia was noted: serum calcium 6.6 mg/dL (8.5 - 10.5 mg/dL), alkaline phosphatase 352 units/L (48 - 277 units/L), and albumin 4.6 g/dL (3.5 - 5.0 g/dL). Repeat testing revealed serum calcium 5.1 mg/dL, phosphorus 4.3 mg/dL (2.5 - 4.5 mg/dL), and magnesium 1.7 mg/dL (1.6 - 2.9 mg/dL). He endorsed a 2 month history of tetany, paresthesia, and muscle weakness. Due to food aversions, his dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D was minimal. He had limited sun exposure. Subsequent PTH was 40 pg/mL (10 - 65 pg/mL) with concurrent serum calcium of 6.5 mg/dL. QTc was prolonged [529 msec (<440 msec)], prompting transfer to the intensive care unit for telemetry, intravenous calcium gluconate, and regular calcium monitoring. Treatment was commenced with cholecalciferol 2000 international units daily and oral calcium carbonate (50 mg elemental calcium/kg/day) in divided doses for presumed Vitamin D deficiency. After several intravenous calcium gluconate doses over 24 hours, the patient’s QTc and ionized calcium normalized. At discharge, calcium was 8.5 mg/dL. He was discharged on the above regimen of calcium and cholecalciferol, and basal and bolus insulin. After discharge, laboratory results returned indicating negative diabetes autoantibodies (GAD 65, Insulin, IA-2) and 25-OH Vitamin D <10 ng/mL (30 - 100ng/mL). Two days after discharge, calcium was 7.3 mg/dL. Two weeks later, labs were: 25-OH Vitamin D 11.3 ng/mL, PTH 10.4 pg/mL, and calcium 9.6 mg/dL.

Conclusion: This teen presented with new-onset type 2 diabetes and symptomatic hypocalcemia, an atypical feature of new-onset diabetes. This patient’s hypocalcemia was likely due to both vitamin D deficiency and hypoparathyroidism. He had a low vitamin D level and poor calcium intake with elevated alkaline phosphatase; however, his high normal serum phosphorus and inappropriately normal PTH (instead of elevated in the setting of severe hypocalcemia) indicated a component of hypoparathyroidism. Calcium normalized with detectable 25-OH Vitamin D levels but PTH remained low. Our case highlights the importance of recognizing both that electrolyte abnormalities at diabetes onset may not be directly attributable to diabetes/hyperglycemia and that vitamin D deficiency and hypoparathyroidism may co-exist.