Calcium and Parathyroid USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 35-year-old woman with no past medical history presents with muscle cramps and perioral paresthesias. Vital signs show BP 118/76 mmHg, HR 88/min, RR 16/min, temperature 37.2°C. Serum calcium is 6.8 mg/dL, phosphate 5.2 mg/dL, PTH 15 pg/mL, and albumin 4.0 g/dL. Serum magnesium is normal. She denies neck surgery or radiation. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her hypoparathyroidism?
Answer choices
- ASurgical removal of parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy
- BHypomagnesemia-induced PTH resistance
- CChronic kidney disease
- DAutoimmune destruction of parathyroid tissueCorrect answer
- EVitamin D deficiency
- FAIRE gene mutation underlying APS-1 with candidiasis and Addison disease
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