Inhibition of 1,25(OH)2D production by hypercalcemia in osteitis fibrosa cystica: influence on parathyroid hormone secretion and hungry bone disease

Abstract

Primary hyperparathyroidism is usually associated with normal or elevated serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels. We report a 63-year-old patient with extreme hypercalcemia (ionized serum calcium, 2.51 mmol/l; normal range, 1.19-1.36), very high serum concentrations of intact immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (145 pmol/l; normal range, 1-6.8), radiological lesions of osteitis fibrosa cystica, only mildly impaired renal function (creatinine clearance, 69 ml/min/m2) and very low serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D (28.8 pmol/l; normal range, 72-120). Presurgery normalization of the calcemia with normal saline, salmon calcitonin and pamidronate caused an increase in 1,25(OH)2D serum concentration to 228.3 pmol/l. A negative correlation could be established between ionized calcium and 1,25(OH)2D levels during that period (r2 = 0.80, P < 0.04). While serum calcium decreased with treatment, serum iPTH also decreased to 48.6 pmol/l, suggesting some 1,25(OH)2D inhibition of parathyroid adenoma function. Serum alkaline phosphatase also rose from 309 to 390 units/l (normal range, 25-97), suggesting the beginning of resolution of her osteitis fibrosa cystica prior to surgery. Surgical removal of a parathyroid adenoma was associated with a decrease in serum calcium and iPTH levels. To our surprise, the hypocalcemia could be managed easily with 1500 mg of oral calcium carbonate daily, even if the hungry bone disease became more active with an increase in alkaline phosphatase to 486 units/l. This was explained by the very high levels of serum 1,25(OH)2D (> 200 pmol/l) which prevailed in the postsurgery period and were probably related to decreased bone resorption and increased bone formation. This case illustrates that normalizing serum calcium prior to surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and osteitis fibrosa cystica can be highly beneficial.