Hypophosphatemia in Emergency Medicine Workup

  • Author: Devon J Moore, MD; Chief Editor: Erik D Schraga, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 26, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Serum phosphate level
    • Serum phosphate or phosphorus normally ranges from 2.5-4.5 mg/dL in adults. Hypophosphatemia is defined as mild (2-2.5 mg/dL), moderate (1-2 mg/dL), or severe (< 1 mg/dL).
    • Since the serum phosphate level may not accurately reflect the level of intracellular phosphate, always correlate serum phosphate levels with clinical findings, especially before embarking upon aggressive replacement therapy.
  • Abnormalities in serum magnesium, calcium, and potassium levels may occur.
    • Hypomagnesemia often is associated with the shift of phosphate into cells.
    • Hypercalcemia is common in primary hyperparathyroidism.
    • Derangements in serum potassium may occur with certain hypophosphatemia causes, such as DKA and alcoholism.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Devon J Moore, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University Detroit Medical Center, Detroit Receiving Hospital

Devon J Moore, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Student Association/Foundation, Emergency Medicine Residents Association, and Wayne State School of Medicine Black Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Adam J Rosh, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Detroit Receiving Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Adam J Rosh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robin R Hemphill, MD, MPH  Associate Professor, Director, Quality and Safety, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Robin R Hemphill, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Howard A Bessen, MD  Professor of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine; Program Director, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Howard A Bessen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Erik D Schraga, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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