A patient undergoes thyroid surgery, following which he develops perioral tingling. Blood Ca is 8.9 meq; Next step is:
This patient presents with symptoms of hypocalcemia which is a complication of thyroid surgery due to accidental removal of parathyroid glands. So intravenous administration of calcium gluconate and serial monitoring should be done. Ref: Harrison's Internal Medicine, 18th Edition, Page 362.
Vit D Orally
Oral Ca and vitD
Intravenous calcium gluconate and serial monitoring
Wait for Ca to decrease to < 7.0 before taking fuher action