The magnesium role in the post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism

The Authors take as a starting point their previous study (“Hypocalcemia and hypoparathyrodism after total thyroidectomy: a clinical biological study and surgical considerations”), in which they examinated serum calcium and phosphorous levels variations after total thyroidectomy in two patients groups (one of control). In this study they examine the magnesium possible role in post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. They conclude that post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia certainly has a multifactorial aetiology and underline as symptomatic patients often present a contemporaneous calcium and magnesium decrease. Besides they observe that clinical signs persist in several cases when the hypocalcemia only is treated, whereas they regress before when both ions calcium and magnesium, are treated. The authors conclude that it may be difficult attribute the hypocalcemia signs to deficiency of one both these ions at times, but the postoperative hypomagnesemia must be considered in every case of neuromuscular hyperexcitability not differently justifiable, especially if it is associated with cardiac arrythmias and hydroelectrolytic balance alterations.