OBJECTIVE: To report a case of artifactual hypercalcemia in a patient with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: We present clinical data and laboratory findings in a 33-year-old woman with generalized fatigue, a recent 5-kg weight loss, and a papular rash on the extremities as well as a history of diabetes and hypertension. RESULTS: Physical examination revealed an obese patient with eruptive xanthomas and lipemia retinalis. Laboratory tests showed hyperlipidemia, hypercalcemia (serum calcium measured by spectrophotometry), anemia, hyperproteinemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. After 4 days of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and gemfibrozil therapy, the serum triglyceride level decreased, and the serum calcium concentration returned to normal. CONCLUSION: In patients with hypercalcemia without an obvious cause, a spurious measurement should be considered.
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of artifactual hypercalcemia in a patient with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: We present clinical data and laboratory findings in a 33-year-old woman with generalized fatigue, a recent 5-kg weight loss, and a papular rash on the extremities as well as a history of diabetes and hypertension. RESULTS: Physical examination revealed an obesepatient with eruptive xanthomas and lipemia retinalis. Laboratory tests showed hyperlipidemia, hypercalcemia (serum calcium measured by spectrophotometry), anemia, hyperproteinemia, hyperuricemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. After 4 days of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and gemfibrozil therapy, the serum triglyceride level decreased, and the serum calcium concentration returned to normal. CONCLUSION: In patients with hypercalcemia without an obvious cause, a spurious measurement should be considered.
Authors: Marta Christov; Abbe R Clark; Braden Corbin; Samy Hakroush; Eugene P Rhee; Hiroaki Saito; Dan Brooks; Eric Hesse; Mary Bouxsein; Niels Galjart; Ji Yong Jung; Peter Mundel; Harald Jüppner; Astrid Weins; Anna Greka Journal: JCI Insight Date: 2018-02-22