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Case Reports
. 2023 Apr 26;15(4):e38171.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.38171. eCollection 2023 Apr.

A Case of Milk-Alkali Syndrome

Isaac Opoku  1 , Njika Atemnkeng  1 , Nedsely Vila  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Case of Milk-Alkali Syndrome

Isaac Opoku et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Milk-alkali syndrome is described by a triad of elevated levels of calcium, metabolic alkalosis, and acute kidney injury that historically occurred as a result of the combined intake of large amounts of calcium and absorbable alkali. It is becoming common recently with the use of over-the-counter calcium supplements for osteoporosis treatment in postmenopausal women. We present a case of a 62-year-old female who presented with generalized weakness. She was noted to have severe hypercalcemia, and impaired renal function with a significant history of daily over-the-counter calcium supplement use and as-needed calcium carbonate use for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This case highlights the stepwise approach to the evaluation and management of hypercalcemia. She was appropriately treated with the resolution of hypercalcemia and presenting symptoms.

Keywords: alkali; calcium; hypercalcemia; milk; syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Axial view of the 4mm non-obstructing stone in the right kidney on the CT scan
Figure 2
Figure 2. Coronal view of the 4mm non-obstructing stone in the inferior collecting system of the right kidney on the CT scan
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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