Korean J Bone Metab.  2012 May;19(1):53-58. 10.11005/kjbm.2012.19.1.53.

A Case of Severe Hypercalcemia after Treatment with Teriparatide for Osteoporosis

• Koo JW
• Lee JH
• Jang NE
• Kim H
• Seok HY
• So YR
• Shin AR
• Cho JH
• Lee SH

• KMID: 1464236
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11005/kjbm.2012.19.1.53

Abstract

Recombinant human parathyroid hormone 1-34 (rHPTH; 1-34, teriparatide) increases bone mass and increases osteoporotic fracture by stimulating new bone formation. It was approved in the United States for treatment of osteoporosis in men and women, and its effectiveness and safety was proved. Mild hypercalcemia was observed, but persistent and severe hypercalcemia was not observed in the studies of teriparatide. In this case, severe hypercalcemia was developed from patient having gait disturbance who was treated with vitamin D, calcium and teripartide for two months to treat osteoporosis after subtrochanteric fracture. Hypercalcemia was resolved with discontinuation of teriparatide. Severe hypercalcemia is not a common complication of teriparatide and monitoring of serum calcium level is routinely not recommended. But it is necessary to pay close attention to patients who were treated with teriparatide, especially in immobilized patients.

Keyword

Hypercalcemia; Osteoporosis; Teriparatide

MeSH Terms

Calcium
Female
Gait
Humans
Hypercalcemia
Male
Osteogenesis
Osteoporosis
Osteoporotic Fractures
Parathyroid Hormone
Teriparatide
United States
Vitamin D
Calcium
Parathyroid Hormone
Teriparatide
Vitamin D

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of lumbar spine (A) and femur (B). (BMD, bone mineral density)

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  Fig. 2 Electrocardiogram (ECG) finding on admission.

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  Fig. 3 The changes of serum calcium during admission and follow-up.

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