Hyperphosphatemia
Hyperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disorder in which there is an elevated level of phosphate in the blood. Most people have no symptoms while others develop calcium deposits in the soft tissue. Often there is also low calcium levels which can result in muscle spasms.
| Hyperphosphatemia | |
|---|---|
| Phosphate group chemical structure | |
| Specialty | Endocrinology, nephrology |
| Symptoms | None, calcium deposits, muscle spasms |
| Complications | Low blood calcium |
| Causes | Kidney failure, pseudohypoparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, diabetic ketoacidosis, tumor lysis syndrome, rhabdomyolysis |
| Diagnostic method | Blood phosphate > 1.46 mmol/L (4.5 mg/dL) |
| Differential diagnosis | High blood lipids, high blood protein, high blood bilirubin |
| Treatment | Decreasing intake, calcium carbonate |
| Frequency | Unclear |
Causes include kidney failure, pseudohypoparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, diabetic ketoacidosis, tumor lysis syndrome, and rhabdomyolysis. Diagnosis is generally based on a blood phosphate levels of greater than 1.46 mmol/L (4.5 mg/dL). Levels may appear falsely elevated with high blood lipid levels, high blood protein levels, or high blood bilirubin levels.
Treatment may include eating a phosphate low diet and antacids, like calcium carbonate, that bind phosphate. Occasionally intravenous normal saline or dialysis may be used. How commonly it occurs is unclear.