Control of hypercalcaemia in thyrotoxicosis

Two thyrotoxic patients with significant hypercalcaemia are described. The hypercalcaemia failed to suppress with hydrocortisone, propranolol and calcitonin but serum calcium fell rapidly to normal with carbimazole treatment. Both patients were subsequently treated surgically and at operation no evidence of parathyroid disease was found. Thyroid disease must be controlled before co-existing parathyroid disease is diagnosed in hypercalcaemic thyrotoxic patients.