Hypoparathyroidism--a long-term follow-up experience with 1 alpha-vitamin D3 therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have suggested that alpha-D3 therapy can cause deterioration in renal function. We have, therefore, examined the long-term effect of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (alpha-D3) administration upon renal function in hypoparathyroid patients.


METHODS
This is a prospective long-term follow-up study of alpha-D3 administration on hypoparathyroid patients at a mean daily dose of 1 microgram (range 0.5-2.5 micrograms) during a total of 2040 patient-months.


METHODS
Seventeen unselected patients (14 females and 3 males), two with primary and 15 with post-surgical hypoparathyroidism.


RESULTS
The significant effect of alpha-D3 on serum and urinary calcium was achieved during the first week of treatment and remained stable at the same range during the close follow-up of 2040 patient-months. No significant change was observed in the serum creatinine during the whole follow-up period. During follow-up, five women developed hypercalciuria and one patient developed hypercalcaemia that disappeared when the dose of the drug was reduced or discontinued.


CONCLUSIONS
From our study we concluded that alpha-D3 is a safe and effective drug in the long-term therapy of hypoparathyroid patients.
Halabe
A
A
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beilinson Medical Center, Israel.
Arie
R
R
Mimran
D
D
Samuel
R
R
Liberman
U A
UA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D010710:Phosphates; D003404:Creatinine; D002118:Calcium; C008088:alfacalcidol