endocrine and metabolic disorders
Hypophosphatemia
Key Points
Acute hypophosphatemia most often occurs in patients with of alcohol use disorder, burns, or starvation. Acute severe hypophosphatemia can cause serious neuromuscular disturbances, rhabdomyolysis, seizures, coma, and death. Chronic hypophosphatemia may be due to hormonal disorders (eg, hyperparathyroidism, Cushing syndrome, hypothyroidism), chronic diuretic use, or use of aluminum-containing antacids by patients with chronic kidney disease. Hypophosphatemia is usually asymptomatic, but severe chronic depletion can cause anorexia, muscle weakness, and osteomalacia. Treat the underlying disorder, but some patients require oral, or rarely, IV phosphate replacement. 