Hypophosphatemia in Emergency Medicine Workup: Laboratory Studies

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.

Treatment & Management

Luda Khait, MD, MS Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit Receiving Hospital

Luda Khait, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society, Emergency Medicine Residents&#039; Association

Coauthor(s)

Adam J Rosh, MD Assistant Professor, Program Director, Emergency Medicine Residency, 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, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Specialty Editor Board

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

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

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

Chief Editor

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

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, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Acknowledgements

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.

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