Reactions 1377 - 12 Nov 2011

SErgocalciferol

Hypercalcaemia in an elderly patient: case reportAn 86-year-old man developed severe hypercalcaemia

during ergocalciferol [vitamin D2; Raquiferol]supplementation [duration of treatment to reaction onsetnot stated].

The man presented with a 10lb weight loss and a 2-weekhistory of lethargy, abdominal pain, polyuria and leg pain.Laboratory investigations included the following: calcium14.9 mg/dL, albumin 3.2 mg/dL, intact parathyroidhormone (PTH) 7.81 pg/mL, 25-hydroxyvitamin D>316 ng/mL, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 74 pg/mL and PTHrelated protein 11 pg/mL.

The man was treated with saline and pamidronic acid. IVfluids were withheld due to cardiac comorbidities. Hiscalcium levels continued to deteriorate, and he developedmetabolic acidosis. He subsequently reported taking oneampoule of oral ergocalciferol 600 000IU each week for thepast 6 weeks (total dose 3 600 000IU); the supplement hadbeen prescribed by his physician. IV fluids were restarted,and he received furosemide and a second dose ofpamidronic acid. His symptoms gradually improved, andhe was discharged after 1 month of hospitalisation.Aggressive oral fluid intake was recommended, and hiscalcium levels were monitored twice weekly on anoutpatient basis [outcome not stated].PUIG A, et al. Hypercalcemia In The Elderly: Malignancy?. 33rd Annual Meetingof the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research : abstr. SA0494, 16 Sep2011. Available from: URL: http://www.asbmr.org - USA 803062227

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Reactions 12 Nov 2011 No. 13770114-9954/10/1377-0001/$14.95 © 2010 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved