dihydrotachysterol and Renal-Insufficiency

The half synthetic Vitamin D analogue dihydrotachysterol (DHT) is widely used for hypocalcaemic hypoparathyroidism following surgical removal of parathyroids. Such treatment generally initiated by surgeons right after surgery has to be continued in clinical practice. Unfortunately, the required careful monitoring of calcium metabolism is often lacking and as demonstrated may lead to life-threatening conditions.. Here we report on five patients referred to our nephrology unit because of unknown impairment of renal function during therapy with DHT. All patients had clinical signs of hypercalcaemia. Since most symptoms are nonspecific they were not perceived by primary care physicians. In fact DHT treatment was continued for 4 - 50 years. In all cases calcium levels were determined after inadequate long intervals ranging from 3.08 to 4.97 mmol/l. Creatinine levels ranged from 277 to 365 micromol/l. All patients suffered from symptoms of severe hypercalcaemia, three of them needing intensive care unit treatment.. All patients were treated effectively with a regimen consisting of intravenous saline, a loop diuretic, and application of bisphosphonates. As confirmed by renal biopsy persisting alleviation of renal function was due to calcifications. After discontinuation of DHT therapy patients were safely switched to shorter acting vitamin D derivates maintaining a normal calcium level.. In comparison to short acting vitamin-D derivates hypercalcaemic episodes with DHT appear to last longer and may therefore occur with higher incidence. A future option could be the use of synthetic parathyroid hormone (s-PTH) recently shown to be safe and effective. Nevertheless a customized therapy and careful monitoring is indispensable in any case to prevent irreversible organ damage.

Topics: Aged; Dihydrotachysterol; Drug Monitoring; Female; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Hypoparathyroidism; Male; Renal Insufficiency; Vitamin D

Topics: Bone Density Conservation Agents; Calcium Carbonate; Dihydrotachysterol; Diphosphonates; Female; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Hypocalcemia; Hypoparathyroidism; Middle Aged; Pamidronate; Renal Insufficiency; Thyroiditis

During vitamin-D therapy drug accumulation and intoxication should be considered. In the present study we report on five patients with renal insufficiency during therapy with dihydrotachysterol or calcitriol. Four patients received dihydrotachysterol for 29 (7-44) years and one patient received calcitriol for 4 years to treat hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery. As confirmed by renal biopsy impairment of renal function was due to calcifications as a consequence of prolonged hypercalcemia. The effective duration of dihydrotachysterol is ten days as compared with five days for calcitriol. Severe hypercalcemic episodes with dihydrotachysterol are longer-lasting than those with the shorter acting vitamin-D derivatives. Further, they occur with higher incidence as was shown by our own observations and previously published data by other workers. Hence, impairment of renal function during therapy with dihydrotachysterol should be considered as being due to hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.

Topics: Aged; Calcitriol; Calcium; Creatinine; Dihydrotachysterol; Drug Overdose; Female; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Kidney; Male; Middle Aged; Renal Insufficiency; Ultrasonography

Topics: Calcium; Dihydrotachysterol; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Renal Insufficiency