Hypercalcemic and hypocalcemic disorders: diagnosis and treatment. 1979

N H Bell

Current concepts concerning the mechanisms, diagnosis and means of treatment of a number of the major causes of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia are reviewed. In particular, the role of abnormalities in metabolism of vitamin D including (1) excessive hepatic production of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (vitamin D intoxication), (2) increased production of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (hyperparathyroidism and sarcoidosis), (3) impaired production of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (hypoparathyroidism, renal failure, vitamin-D-dependent rickets type I, pseudohypoparathyroidism) and (4) resistance to 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D; the use of vitamin D and its metabolites therapeutically is discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006961 Hyperparathyroidism A condition of abnormally elevated output of PARATHYROID HORMONE (or PTH) triggering responses that increase blood CALCIUM. It is characterized by HYPERCALCEMIA and BONE RESORPTION, eventually leading to bone diseases. PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM is caused by parathyroid HYPERPLASIA or PARATHYROID NEOPLASMS. SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM is increased PTH secretion in response to HYPOCALCEMIA, usually caused by chronic KIDNEY DISEASES.
D006980 Hyperthyroidism Hypersecretion of THYROID HORMONES from the THYROID GLAND. Elevated levels of thyroid hormones increase BASAL METABOLIC RATE. Hyperthyroid,Primary Hyperthyroidism,Hyperthyroidism, Primary,Hyperthyroids
D006996 Hypocalcemia Reduction of the blood calcium below normal. Manifestations include hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, Chvostek's sign, muscle and abdominal cramps, and carpopedal spasm. (Dorland, 27th ed) Hypocalcemias
D007011 Hypoparathyroidism A condition caused by a deficiency of PARATHYROID HORMONE (or PTH). It is characterized by HYPOCALCEMIA and hyperphosphatemia. Hypocalcemia leads to TETANY. The acquired form is due to removal or injuries to the PARATHYROID GLANDS. The congenital form is due to mutations of genes, such as TBX1; (see DIGEORGE SYNDROME); CASR encoding CALCIUM-SENSING RECEPTOR; or PTH encoding parathyroid hormone. Idiopathic Hypoparathyroidism,Hypoparathyroidism, Idiopathic
D008275 Magnesium Deficiency A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of magnesium in the diet, characterized by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and weakness. Symptoms are paresthesias, muscle cramps, irritability, decreased attention span, and mental confusion, possibly requiring months to appear. Deficiency of body magnesium can exist even when serum values are normal. In addition, magnesium deficiency may be organ-selective, since certain tissues become deficient before others. (Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 12th ed, p1936) Deficiency, Magnesium,Deficiencies, Magnesium,Magnesium Deficiencies
D009369 Neoplasms New abnormal growth of tissue. Malignant neoplasms show a greater degree of anaplasia and have the properties of invasion and metastasis, compared to benign neoplasms. Benign Neoplasm,Cancer,Malignant Neoplasm,Tumor,Tumors,Benign Neoplasms,Malignancy,Malignant Neoplasms,Neoplasia,Neoplasm,Neoplasms, Benign,Cancers,Malignancies,Neoplasias,Neoplasm, Benign,Neoplasm, Malignant,Neoplasms, Malignant
D011453 Prostaglandins A group of compounds derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase pathway. They are extremely potent mediators of a diverse group of physiological processes. Prostaglandin,Prostanoid,Prostanoids
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006934 Hypercalcemia Abnormally high level of calcium in the blood. Milk-Alkali Syndrome,Hypercalcemias,Milk Alkali Syndrome,Syndrome, Milk-Alkali
D014807 Vitamin D A vitamin that includes both CHOLECALCIFEROLS and ERGOCALCIFEROLS, which have the common effect of preventing or curing RICKETS in animals. It can also be viewed as a hormone since it can be formed in SKIN by action of ULTRAVIOLET RAYS upon the precursors, 7-dehydrocholesterol and ERGOSTEROL, and acts on VITAMIN D RECEPTORS to regulate CALCIUM in opposition to PARATHYROID HORMONE.

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