Normal Calcium & Chvostek's Sign

[lilypad300]

so. . .after my TT on 8/4/08, I had severe hypocalcemia. . .ended up back in the hospital for a week on iv calcium drip etc. etc. etc.
i had an appointment with the endo today (Friday 9/19/08), and my calcium numbers were good:  
9.6 totally normal he actually told me to stop taking the calcitriol, but when he tapped my face to do the "Chvostek's Sign", my lips spasmed. . .he didn't seem too concerned (and me like an idiot didn't ask any questions about it), but my feet have been falling asleep easily lately and my hands have been a bit tingly what's up?
what could couse that if my calcium is supposedly fine?
. . .could it be magnesium?  I started taking a vitamin that has 100% DV of magnesium today. . .how long will that take to affect?




Fast Forward. . .Sunday night. . .
my lip is still spasming in response to hitting the side of my face. . .
I don't feel tingly, but I don't feel well. . .I've been off of the calcitriol since friday. . .could my calcium have dropped. . .
(i've also been taking the magnesium & other vitamins (b complex etc.) since friday)

i don't know what i'm feeling anymore, I just know I don't want to have another low calcium event

thanks!
~nervous & venting~

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

yes

[lilypad300]

thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
i have a slip for blood work and an appointment for next wednesday.
i gather you are suggesting that i go for the blood work sooner?

thanks again!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Sounds like the calcium is still unstable despite the normal number -- but that was while you were still on calcitriol....so it may be necessary to repeat calcium today (monday 9/22) as this is a fast moving situation and sometimes a lower dose of calitriol is needed temporarily while waiting to document whether the parathyroids recover (which usually happens within 4 weeks after surgery...).  A parathyroid level now would be of interest as well to help predict the future recovery.  Magnesium tends to be low in these cases and some Mg supplementation may help, but the mainstay is the calcium and the calcitriol.