Calcium-Alkali Syndrome-Like Symptoms Manifested by Daily Alphacalcidol and Thiazide

Abstract

A 73-year-old man was admitted with complaints of a 2-month history of generalized weakness and numbness. Laboratory examination revealed hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and kidney injury, similar to the traditional milk-alkali syndrome. The clinical history and the response to therapy indicated that alphacalcidol and thiazide taken daily were the cause. Recently, it has been recommended the term "milk-alkali syndrome" be replaced by "calcium-alkali syndrome", which broadens the definition of the condition. This case suggests that the calcium-alkali syndrome can occur without calcium and alkali, but rather with alphacalcidol and a thiazide diuretic.