Milk-Alkali Syndrome in the Context of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: An Overlooked Aetiology of Hypercalcaemia.

Milk-Alkali Syndrome in the Context of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: An Overlooked Aetiology of Hypercalcaemia.

Publication date: Nov 01, 2025

A 64-year-old male with a history of alcoholism and newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) developed hypercalcaemia during anti-TB treatment (Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol). He manifested right leg bone pain and hallucinations. Hypercalcaemia workup, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D, myeloma screen, and imaging, revealed no underlying malignancy or granulomatous bone involvement. Despite stopping vitamin D/calcium supplements and receiving fluids, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, and steroids, his calcium levels remained elevated. Further history revealed excessive milk intake (1-2 L/day). Cessation of dairy led to gradual symptom resolution and normalisation of serum calcium within two weeks. This case highlights milk-alkali syndrome as a rare but reversible cause of hypercalcaemia in TB patients.

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Concepts Keywords
calcium intake
hypercalcemia
metabolic alkalosis
milk-alkali syndrome
pulmonary tuberculosis
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Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH Milk-Alkali Syndrome
disease MESH Pulmonary Tuberculosis
disease MESH alcoholism
pathway KEGG Alcoholism
drug DRUGBANK Rifampicin
drug DRUGBANK Isoniazid
drug DRUGBANK Pyrazinamide
drug DRUGBANK Ethambutol
disease MESH hallucinations
drug DRUGBANK Parathyroid hormone
drug DRUGBANK Vitamin D
disease MESH malignancy
drug DRUGBANK Calcium
pathway REACTOME Reproduction
disease MESH NHS
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
pathway REACTOME Metabolism
disease MESH peptic ulcer
drug DRUGBANK Magnesium carbonate
drug DRUGBANK Sodium bicarbonate
disease MESH alkalosis
disease MESH injury
drug DRUGBANK Nonoxynol-9
drug DRUGBANK Alkaline Phosphatase
disease MESH multiple myeloma
drug DRUGBANK Phosphate ion
drug DRUGBANK Creatinine
drug DRUGBANK Urea
disease MESH kPa
disease MESH osteoporosis
disease MESH osteoarthritis
disease MESH vitamin deficiency
disease MESH MAS
drug DRUGBANK Calcium Carbonate
disease MESH syndrome
drug DRUGBANK Aluminum hydroxide
drug DRUGBANK Aluminium
drug DRUGBANK Magnesium hydroxide
drug DRUGBANK Calcium Phosphate
drug DRUGBANK Nitrogen
disease MESH ulcer
disease MESH kidney stones
disease MESH hyperparathyroidism
disease MESH granulomas
drug DRUGBANK Calcitriol
disease MESH infection
disease MESH macrophage activation syndrome
disease MESH acute kidney injury
drug DRUGBANK Methionine
drug DRUGBANK Hydrocortisone
disease MESH duodenal ulcer
disease MESH gastric ulcer
disease MESH ESRD
disease MESH primary hyperparathyroidism
disease MESH sarcoidosis
disease MESH tuberculosis
pathway KEGG Tuberculosis

Original Article

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