Article Text
Unusual association of diseases/symptoms
Rennies, Crohn's disease and severe hypercalcaemia
Summary
A 59-year-old lady presented with vomiting and diarrhoea. She was found to have severe hypercalcaemia (5.2 mmol/l) and to be in renal failure. She had a high daily intake of calcium carbonate in the form of Rennies Dual Action, raising the possibility of milk-alkali syndrome. She had ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms after resolution of hypercalcaemia. Further investigation revealed, previously undiagnosed rectal Crohn's disease. Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) level was markedly elevated. It is possible that the calcitriol from Crohn's disease tissue facilitated excessive absorption of calcium from the antacid preparation, thus triggering hypercalcaemia.
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Footnotes
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Competing interests None.
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Patient consent Obtained.