Hypercalcemia in an AIDS patient treated with growth hormone.
METHODS
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is a newly approved treatment for weight loss and wasting in patients with AIDS. We report a male patient with advanced AIDS who developed hypercalcemia 2 weeks after institution of rhGH therapy.


RESULTS
Parathyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone-related peptide and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were suppressed, suggesting that hypercalcemia was mediated through alternative mechanisms. The hypercalcemia responded to discontinuation of rhGH and a single dose of intravenous pamidronate disodium and has not recurred in 8 months of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
We believe this to be the first reported case of rhGH-induced hypercalcemia in an HIV-infected patient.
Sakoulas
G
G
Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-West Campus, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Tritos
N A
NA
Lally
M
M
Wanke
C
C
Hartzband
P
P
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019247:HIV Wasting Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D000077268:Pamidronate; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
D004164:Diphosphonates; C470121:PTHLH protein, human; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D011506:Proteins; D014807:Vitamin D; C097949:1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D; D013006:Growth Hormone; D000077268:Pamidronate; D002118:Calcium