Acute treatment with calcitonin in primary hyperparathyroidism and severe hypercalcaemia of other origin.
Porcine or salmon calcitonin was given, as emergency treatment for 17 patients with hypercalcaemia, mostly of a severe degree. A lowering of serum calcium was achieved in all of 11 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and in another 4 with malignancies. In most of the patients, the lowering of serum calcium level was accompanied by a pronounced clinical amelioration. This made possible successful parathyroidectomy without complications in the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. In all patients except one, a decrease in serum creatinine was observed during treatment. Creatinine clearance was studied during calcitonin treatment in 2 patients and showed an increase. Calcitonin was ineffective in 2 of the patients with hypercalcaemia: one with plasmacell sarcoma of the lungs and another one with sarcoidosis. No serious side-effects were observed. Due to its quick action and lack of toxic effects, calcitonin is recommended when a prompt reduction of serum calcium is of vital importance.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D013552:Swine; D013961:Thyroid Gland; D013997:Time Factors
D010710:Phosphates; D002116:Calcitonin; D003404:Creatinine; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium