Medical Problems: Hypophosphatemia

OVERVIEW

This page is designed to organize content that is relevant to the topic of hypophosphatemia. This term is used often in medicine, and it is important that we become as familiar as possible with it.

Low levels of serum phosphate may require medical correction (source)
WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

Before going any farther, let us make sure we clearly define the “medical problem”. Hypophosphatemia refers to

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

 

ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL

The differential diagnosis for hypophosphatemia can be organized in a few different ways:

  • Can’t miss diagnosis
  • Organ systen
  • Disease category
  • Diagnostic modality
  • Most common diagnosis
CLINICAL “WORKUP”

Now that the possible causes of hypophosphatemia have been established, the focus can shift to how one would actually “work-up” a patient who presents with hypophosphatemia. 

  • Collecting the history
  • Performing the physical
  • Ordering studies/tests
  • Intrepreting clinical data
TREATMENT

The treatment of hypophosphatemia may vary depending on the etiology of the condition, and is elaborated upon more below:

 

Page Updated: 01.29.2017