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Research Article

Rate of reversal of hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria induced by vitamin D and its 1alpha-hydroxylated derivatives.

Br Med J 1977; 1 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.6053.78 (Published 08 January 1977) Cite this as: Br Med J 1977;1:78
  1. J A Kanis,
  2. R G Russell

    Abstract

    The rate of reversal of hypercalcaemia or hypercalciuria induced by calciferol, dihydrotachysterol, 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (1-alpha-OHD3), or 1-alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1-alpha, 25-(OH)2D3) was measured in three normal subjects, two patients with osteoporosis, and 14 patients with disorders resistant to vitamin D. The half time for reversal after stopping 1-alpha, 25 (OH)2D3 was less than that after stopping 1-alpha-OHD3, calciferol, or dihydrotachysterol. The differences observed were independent of the dose given or length of treatment. When 1-alpha-OHD3 or 1-alpha-25-(OH)2D3 was stopped patients with vitamin D resistant states (hypoparathyroidism, renal tubular hypophosphataemia, or chronic renal failure) showed less rapid reversal of hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria than did normal subjects. These studies show one potential advantage of 1-alpha-25-(OH)2D3 over vitamin D, and possibly over 1-alpha-OHD3, in the management of vitamin D resistant states.