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A rare case of parental iron-induced persistent hypophosphatemia
Abigayle Sullivan1, Theresa Lanham1, Adam Rubin2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Hospital - Tower Health System, Reading, PA, USA.
Insights
Intravenous iron infusions, like ferric carboxymaltose, can cause low phosphate levels. Monitoring phosphate is crucial, and severe cases require intravenous phosphorus and calcitriol treatment.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Parenteral iron is essential for treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and other conditions like chronic kidney disease.
- Ferric carboxymaltose is a widely used intravenous iron formulation known for its efficacy and safety profile.
- A known side effect of ferric carboxymaltose is a transient decrease in serum phosphate levels.
Observation:
- A patient presented with fatigue, generalized weakness, and hypophosphatemia after receiving ferric carboxymaltose infusions for severe IDA.
- The patient's symptoms were attributed to severe hypophosphatemia, a potential complication of the iron infusion therapy.
Findings:
- This case underscores the importance of monitoring serum phosphate levels in patients receiving parenteral iron, particularly ferric carboxymaltose.
- Severe hypophosphatemia necessitates prompt management.
Implications:
- Monitoring serum phosphate is critical for patient safety during and after parenteral iron administration.
- Intravenous phosphorus and calcitriol are effective treatments for severe hypophosphatemia induced by iron infusions.
Abstract:
We report a case of an African American woman who presented with fatigue, generalized weakness, and hypophosphatemia in the setting of a recent hospitalization for severe, symptomatic iron deficiency anemia requiring ferric carboxymaltose infusions. Parental iron is indicated in numerous clinical settings including chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and iron deficiency anemia. Ferric carboxymaltose is one of the most common forms of parental iron infusions used due to administration procedure and minimal reported side effects. The most common side effect reported is a transient decrease in serum phosphate. This case highlights the necessity of monitoring serum phosphate in the setting of parental iron infusions, especially ferric carboxymaltose, and when severe hypophosphatemia occurs management includes intravenous phosphorous and calcitriol.
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