calcitriol and Nutrition-Disorders

A 64-year-old man was hospitalized in 2002 with symptoms of stupor, weakness, and renal colic. The clinical examination indicated borderline hypertension, small masses in the glutei, and polyuria. Laboratory tests evidenced high serum concentrations of creatinine, calcium, and phosphate. Imaging assessments disclosed widespread vascular calcifications, gluteal calcifications, and pelvic ectasia. Subsequent lab tests indicated suppressed serum parathyroid hormone, extremely high serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, and normal serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D. Treatment was started with intravenous infusion of saline and furosemide due to the evidence of hypercalcemia. Prednisone and omeprazole were added given the evidence of hypervitaminosis D. The treatment improved serum calcium, kidney function, and consciousness. The medical history disclosed recent treatment with exceptionally high doses of slow-release intra-muscular cholecalciferol and the recent excretion of urinary stones. The patient was discharged when it was possible to stop the intravenous treatment. The post-discharge treatment included oral hydration, furosemide, prednisone and omeprazole for approximately 6 months up to complete resolution of the hypercalcemia. The patient came back 12 years later because of microhematuria. Lab tests were normal for calcium/phosphorus homeostasis and kidney function. Imaging tests indicated only minor vascular calcifications. This is the first evidence of reversible vascular calcifications secondary to hypervitaminosis D.

Topics: Biomarkers; Calcium; Cholecalciferol; Diuretics; Fluid Therapy; Furosemide; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Injections, Intramuscular; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Omeprazole; Prednisone; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Remission Induction; Sodium Chloride; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Up-Regulation; Vascular Calcification; Vitamin D

Vitamin D intoxication is characterized by elevated serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and suppressed serum 1,25-dihydroxvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). We evaluated two adolescents with hypercalcemia due to vitamin D intoxication; both had elevated serum 1,25(OH)2D by Diasorin RIA, but normal serum 1,25(OH)2D concentrations by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).. This study aimed to determine the effect of 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 on 1,25(OH)2D concentration determined using RIA and LC-MS/MS.. Pools of normal serum and an artificial serum matrix were prepared and aliquots were spiked with >99% pure 25(OH)D2 or 25(OH)D3 (50-700 ng/mL). Samples were maintained at 4°C or heated to 56°C, and the concentrations of vitamin D metabolites were measured by LC-MS/MS and Diasorin RIA.. Median 1,25(OH)2D increased by 114% with RIA and 21% with LC-MS/MS with addition of 100 ng/mL 25(OH)D3, and 349% (RIA) and 117% (LC-MS/MS) with 700 ng/mL of 25(OH)D3. Each 1-ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D3 increased 1,25(OH)2D by 0.231 pg/mL (RIA) and 0.121 pg/mL (LC-MS/MS). Spiking with 25(OH)D2 led to similar changes. Heat inactivation of serum, and using an artificial serum matrix, were associated with similar effects of 25(OH)D on 1,25(OH)2D assays.. Vitamin D intoxication with high serum levels of 25(OH)D2 or 25(OH)D3 can be associated with elevated levels of 1,25(OH)2D due to interference in a commonly used RIA. A similar but attenuated effect also occurs when 1,25(OH)2D is measured using LC-MS/MS but does not seem to be clinically significant. The basis for this effect on the LC-MS/MS assay is presently uncertain.

Topics: Adolescent; Chromatography, Liquid; Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine; Female; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Retrospective Studies; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Vitamin D