Reactions 1384 - 14 Jan 2012

Ergocalciferol

Exacerbation of hypercalcaemia andhypercalciuria: case report

A 64-year-old man experienced exacerbation ofhypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria following treatmentwith ergocalciferol for vitamin D insufficiency [duration oftreatment prior to reaction onset not stated].

The man, who had primary hyperparathyroidism andosteoporosis, received weekly ergocalciferol 50 000 IU for8 weeks [route not stated]; successive treatment withcolecalciferol was later initiated for 3 weeks. Approximately3 months later, his serum calcium levels increased from11.4 mg/dL to 12.1 mg/dL with an elevated urinary calciumvalue of 535 mg/day, from 340 mg/day. A decreasedalbumin level of 4.1 mg/dL, from 4.3 mg/dL, was alsonoted.

All vitamin D sources were withdrawn. The man’s serumcalcium and urinary calcium values later dropped to10.8 mg/dL and 311 mg/day, respectively; his albumin levelreturned to 4.3 mg/dL.

Author comment: ’We describe the exacerbation ofhypercalcemia and hypercalciuria in a veteran with Vitamin Dinsufficiency and primary hyperparathyroidism followingweekly ergocalciferol therapy."Jithpratuck W, et al. Treating vitamin D insufficiency in primaryhyperparathyroidism: a cautionary tale. Tennessee Medicine: Journal of theTennessee Medical Association 104: 47-49, No. 7, Aug 2011 - USA 803065349

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Reactions 14 Jan 2012 No. 13840114-9954/10/1384-0001/$14.95 © 2010 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved