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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2022
Misleading acute hypercalcemia due to hyperlipidemia: a method-dependent error
I Sachmechi1, G Shah, L Rezainadimi
1Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Mount Sinai Services at Queens Hospital Center, Jamaica, New York 11432, USA.
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.
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