An Unusually Prolonged Case of FGF23-mediated Hypophosphatemia Secondary to Ferric Carboxymaltose Use

Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM)-induced hypophosphatemia is seen in up to 75% of patients receiving this therapy for iron deficiency anemia. Hypophosphatemia has been attributed to increased circulating levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), the transcription of which is upregulated in an iron-deficient state. However, hypophosphatemia typically resolves within 12 weeks of FCM administration. Here, we present a case of unusually prolonged hypophosphatemia that developed after treatment with FCM in a 39-year-old female with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) but normal renal function. Workup was significant for low tubular reabsorption of phosphate and inappropriately normal FGF23. Genetic disorders of hypophosphatemia and a FGF23-secreting tumor were ruled out. Treatment with calcitriol was required for nearly 3.5 years. The prolonged hypophosphatemia was attributed to underlying ADPKD because these patients demonstrate inappropriately elevated FGF23 levels for the degree of severity of reduced glomerular filtration rate. However, the stimulus driving FGF23 secretion in these patients is incompletely understood. Elevated FGF23 in the kidney suppresses renal tubular phosphate reabsorption and 1α-hydroxylase activity ultimately leading to hypophosphatemia. We conclude that our patient was at a high risk of developing hypophosphatemia because of underlying ADPKD, and FCM was the likely precipitant to identify this underlying process.